Addressing Workplace Safety

EOHHS - DDS - ADDP:
Addressing Workplace Safety

DDS Responds to Community Input

Mass Health and DDS are expected to soon complete the state's CMS Final Community Rule transition plan that is expected to be forwarded this spring to the federal government.

Mass Health & DDS held two state wide public sessions at which the state received significant testimony from families, self advocates and family members who asked the transition plan to be modified to reflect more of an inclusion based outcome than placing its' predominant emphasis on the location of services.

ADDP, self advocates, The Arc, and other interested groups are expected to work collegially with DDS to develop such a measurement instrument consistent with the intent of CMS.

Safety Emphasized for All

Effective February 15, 2015, Massachusetts state law will require all human service organizations affiliated with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, to have in place similar worker safety protocols that comply with a state law passed two years ago.

The new law will complement many of the workplace safety programs already in place for years with each member organization. By setting a standard in regulation, the Commonwealth will have the ability to be assured that all programs are reporting and responding in like manner across the state.

The new regulations will require all programs to have a workplace violence prevention program and a crisis response plan that clearly articulates procedures, responses, timeliness in responding among other features.

All plans are to be reviewed annually inclusive of a risk assessment.

DDS and EOHHS will provide specific training options for staff.

ADDP will also be holding workshops to share best practices from member agencies.