Residential Program

Licensing/Certification Requirements

The potential caregiver and their home must meet specific qualifications for certification/licensing. Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Caregivers must be at least 21 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED

• FBI/SLED Background Check

• DSS Central Registry Check

• Sex Offender Registry Check

• 10-year Driving Record

• 2-step TB testing

• Physical and Mental examinations

• Electrical Inspection of home

• HVAC Inspection

• Fire Marshall Inspection

• Sanitation Inspection by DHEC (if applicable)

• Well- Water Inspection (if applicable)

• Lead Inspection (if applicable)

• Home must meet all requirements outlined in the DDSN Residential Habilitation Standards and requirements of the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board

• Potential Caregiver must satisfactorily complete extensive training program (40+ hours) prior to certification/licensure and must maintain training as required annually

**        The CTH I Coordinator will assist you throughout the certification/licensing process and will let you know when and where to obtain the various documents.

**        The Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board reserves the right to disqualify potential caregivers as any time and for any reason.

Responsibilities of CTH I/Respite Caregivers

Once a home has been licensed as a permanent CTH I or a Respite home, the Caregiver will have a number of responsibilities which they must fulfill throughout their involvement with the program. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• The Caregiver must provide a “homelike” environment and include the person in the daily life and activities of the family.

• The Caregiver must maintain the physical condition of the home as approved at the time of certification/licensure. Any change in the physical condition of the home will necessitate re-determination of the home’s eligibility.

• The CTH I Coordinator will visit the home of CTH I Caregivers on at least a monthly basis. Home visits may announced or unannounced. Respite Caregivers will receive a home visit at least quarterly. These visits may also be announced or unannounced.

• The CTH I/Respite Caregiver is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of the people in their care. This includes seeking timely medical care when needed and ensuring that routine medical care occurs as required.

• The CTH I/Respite Caregiver is responsible for ensuring that the person is afforded the opportunity to participate in religious and recreational activities of their choice.

• CTH I/Respite Caregivers must maintain open lines of communication with the person’s family members and the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board.

• CTH I Caregivers are responsible for assisting the person in managing their finances.

• The CTH I Caregiver will be required to complete monthly reports concerning the progress of the people in the home. Respite Caregivers will be required to maintain some paperwork during respite periods.

• The CTH I/Respite Caregiver is required to accept and follow the guidelines set by DDSN and the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board with regard to discipline and abuse. Acceptable methods of addressing undesirable behaviors will be addressed during training. Corporal punishment is not acceptable and will be considered abuse and investigated accordingly.

• The CTH I Caregiver is responsible for ensuring that the person is not left with an unapproved caregiver at any time.

Reimbursement

• The CTH I Caregiver receives a monthly stipend for each person that resides in the home. The amount of the stipend is determined based upon assessment of the person’s needs. CTH I caregivers will also receive a set number of respite days per year as determined by the provider agency.

• The CTH I Caregiver receives a room and board payment each month from the people residing in the home. This amount is determined by the Richland/Lexington Disabilities and Special Needs Board.

• Respite Caregivers are paid an hourly or daily rate depending upon the duration of the respite period. Any respite which exceeds eight hours in a 24-hour period will be considered a daily rate.

***For more information on becoming a CTHI Caregiver contact Macie Smith, residential director, at (803) 252-5179 x 387.