Admission Application

It is the intent of these procedures to clarify how to begin involvement in the Training Centers programs.
These procedures involve the following steps:

• entry into the service delivery system of which NHTC is one part,
• determination of type and extent of involvement in NHTC programs, such as the following options;
  1. provision of discrete service components, such as vocational evaluation or job placement, or residential placement, or
  2. acceptance for temporary admission in Habilitation Services for a 30 day evaluation period in the NHTC’s programs by NHTC Admissions Committee.
  3. enrollment in the training center’s Habilitation Services Program for an extended period of time, as specified by the Interdisciplinary Team and as stated in that individual’s Individual Service Plan.

Entry to the service delivery system is open to all persons with developmental disabilities and is not limited by religion, ethnic origin, sex, disability, or membership in an organization. Contact with any NHTC Service Coordinator, with an indication of need for services or supports, will start entry to the service delivery system. From that point, assistance will be provided to determine the type and extent of services or supports needed, and to assist in procedures to initiate that service or support. This option includes service needs not provided by NHTC.

If an initial determination can be made that a person requires some services or supports from NHTC, such as:

1. Discrete, limited services or supports, or
2. Coordinated, sequenced, or comprehensive services or supports, then the procedures for such service initiation is outlined below;
   • If an individual does not need sequenced, coordinated, or comprehensive services, and initial determination is made that an individual requires only discrete services from NHTC, such as a Vocational Evaluation, Job Placement, or Apartment living placement, then these are the procedures for starting those services:
     • An application, in writing in any format mutually acceptable,
     • Screening to determine needs of the individual,
     • Eligibility determination
     • Determination of funding for services,
     • Specification of services to be provided,
     • Agreement in writing between the parties, and
     • Initiation of the provision of services
     
     The criteria for determining eligibility of applicants for the JOB SHOP will be as follows:
     1. Completion of an application for Job Shop assistance
     2. Availability of funding to pay for Job Shop assistance, either;
        • Specification in the person’s IWRP (Individualized Work Readiness Plan) with the Division of Rehabilitation Services, or
        • other available funds

     3. Indication that the person could benefit from Job Shop services.

   • When an individual requires sequenced, coordinated, or comprehensive services, or when there is insufficient prior history to rule out such requirements, the following admissions procedures will apply:
     • The following information must be completed and forwarded to the Training Center prior to consideration of acceptance for a 30 day evaluation period:
       • Application form, including all release forms signed,
       • Information on physical health, including recent physical examination, results of Tuberculosis testing and results of Hepatitis B screening,
       • Report of Psychological testing
       • Completed Inventory for Client and Agency Planning (I.C.A.P.) form,
       • Information regarding income and resources for the individual, (as requested by staff of the Training Center and necessary to determine appropriateness for funding sources

All completed applications for admission to NHTC will be referred to an admissions committee. This committee will be comprised of the Service Coordinator, Director of Nursing Services, and one staff member from each area in which prospective applicant may be placed in.

The admissions committee will:

• Review all available information from the application process,
• Request additional information if it is needed,
• Determine if NHTC can meet the needs of the applicant,
• Determine if a 30 day trail admission is the best alternative, and if so,
• Make arrangements for pre-placement visits, if possible,
• Make tentative identification of the interdisciplinary team members,
• Determine assessments to be completed prior to the individualized service planning meeting and who will do each.

Applicants and their families are counseled regarding the advantages and disadvantages of Northern Hills Training Center and in the temporary nature of the placement. Only those persons are accepted for admission whose needs can be met by the NHTC directly or in cooperation with community providers of service with which it is affiliated or had contracts. Priority for admission will be given to individuals between 16 and 60 years of age and living in western South Dakota; Lawrence, Butte, and Meade counties.

Following the evaluation period, the people who have worked with the individual, the individual, and the individual’s family (the interdisciplinary team) will meet to determine if admission is the best available alternative.