4910 SSPD Program Description

Revision 22-4; Effective Dec. 1, 2022

Special Services to Persons with Disabilities (SSPD) helps people with disabilities achieve habilitative or rehabilitative goals per their service plan.

The service plan is developed by the provider agency and must contain the following information:

• services;
• tasks; and
• frequency of services a particular person will receive.

These services must be part of the provider agency's service array outline in the plan of operation.

Services included in the service plan consist of counseling, personal care and help with the development of skills needed for independent living in the community. Support services may include transportation, information and referral.

Services vary depending on the regional contract. The Community Care Services Eligibility (CCSE) supervisor can provide specific information about regional contracts. 

SSPD must not be authorized with any other CCSE service, except for Emergency Response Services (ERS).

4920 SSPD Eligibility

Revision 22-4; Effective Dec. 1, 2022

To be eligible for Special Services to Persons with Disabilities (SSPD), the applicant must:

• be at least 18 or older;
• have Medicaid or meet financial eligibility criteria; and
• have a functional assessment score of at least nine.

If the applicant appears to need personal attendant services (PAS), use the guidelines in Appendix III, Appropriate or Inappropriate Individual Characteristics Special Services to Persons with Disabilities, to determine if the applicant’s needs can be met adequately by the SSPD PAS program. Applicants may be admitted to the attendant services program only if their needs do not exceed the program's available services.

Related Policy 

Notice of Ineligibility or Service Reduction, 2810

Eligibility for Services, 3000

4930 Service Referral, Initiation and Delivery

Revision 20-3; Effective September 1, 2020

Special Services to Persons with Disabilities (SSPD) is currently available only in Regions 03, 04, 06 and 07. Refer interested persons in these locations by completing and sending to the provider Form 2101, Authorization for Community Care Services. Conduct reauthorizations annually according to the same procedure. When necessary, follow procedures in Section 2550, Identifying Individuals at Risk.

The provider agency must develop the service plan before services can be initiated.

• The provider agency must initiate services:
  • within 14 days after the referral date on the DHS Authorization for Community Care Services form; or
  • as required by the procedures developed in the DHS region where services are delivered.

The provider agency may deliver services in the following settings:

• an adult day care facility; or
• other settings approved by the contract manager.