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Question and Answers on the Supports Intensity Scale
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- What is the Supports Intensity Scale?
The Supports Intensity Scale is an assessment tool that measures practical support requirements of a person with an intellectual disability. Unlike traditional assessments, the SIS focuses on what daily supports an individual needs to live as independently as possible within their community.
- Who developed the Supports Intensity Scale?
The SIS was developed over a 5 year period of time by a team of experts from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities- AAIDD (formerly known as the American Association on Mental Retardation).
- Why is North Carolina choosing to use the Supports Intensity Scale?
North Carolina chose to use the SIS because it is positive and supports oriented, it is engaging, it is reliable and valid, it is simple with well defined item descriptions, and it has an excellent measurement scale. The SIS will be used in conjunction with other assessment tools utilized in the state, such as the NC SNAP to assist the consumer and their support team in developing a person centered plan that focuses on strengths and abilities, not deficits.
- I had heard that the SIS is only for adults. Can you explain?
Currently, there is only the Adult version (for individuals that are 16 years old and older) of the SIS and this was published in 2004. A Child version (for individuals that are age 5 through 15) of the SIS has been developed and is currently going through a field test where data are being collected across the country in order to standardize the instrument and develop norms. North Carolina is part of that data collection process.
- How will the Supports Intensity Scale be administered?
The Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services has decided that licensed professionals (Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Psychological Associates, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers) with developmental disability experience and independent of a consumers support team will be the examiners.
- How will the examiners be paid?
The examiners will be enrolled as a provider and will bill the Division of Medical Assistance directly using H0031 (Mental Health Assessment).
- Is this a State Wide roll out?
At this time the decision has been made to only have those 7 LMEs with single stream funding implement the Supports Intensity Scale. The Division will assist those LMEs in prioritizing consumers who should have the SIS administered. When the tiered CAP MRDD waivers are implemented, those individuals choosing to self-direct their services and those individuals with high medical and/or behavioral needs will be required to have the SIS completed.
- Can the examiner work for a provider agency?
Yes, the examiner can work for a provider agency BUT cannot administer the Supports Intensity Scale to any consumer who is within their current agency or any consumer who they work with directly or indirectly. With this provision in place, it will decrease any alleged or perceived conflict of interest.
- How will the examiners be recruited and trained to be a SIS examiner?
Various professional organizations are being notified of the need to have licensed professionals willing to be trained to be a SIS examiner. Potential examiners will be trained by Rod Realon (State Operated Services) who is a co-author of the Child SIS.
- Whose responsibility is it to coordinate the interview meeting time and location?
There are options in completing this task. The Case Manager or the Examiner can be lead in scheduling. The DMH/DD/SAS will be working with the examiners, LME's and case management agencies to determine options.
- Who pays for the actual Supports Intensity Scale and can copies be made.
The Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services will purchase the Supports Intensity Scale for the use throughout the State. Copies of the SIS form cannot be used since it is a copyrighted product.
- Can the interview be over the phone?
No, the interviews are face to face interviews only.
- Does the consumer have to participate?
No, but it is preferred that the consumer be present if at all possible. There may be alternative methods of obtaining information from a consumer who might not do well in a group situation.
- What if there is a disagreement about scoring an item?
The trained examiner will ask probing questions in order to make the best decision for the rating.
- Will this be online or remain on paper?
DMH/DD/SAS has determined that the web based online format is the preferred method for entering assessment scores. Once entered, a standardized report is available that will summarize the results from the assessment. This report will be sent to the Case Manager for use during the person centered planning meeting.
- How will a Case Manager use the results from the SIS?
A major strength of the SIS is that it identifies supports that are needed to help an individual be successful in a variety of life domains. As such, during the person centered planning meeting, as needs are identified, corresponding supports should also be identified to assist the consumer in meeting those needs. Several training opportunities will be provided for case managers and LMEs to gain a better understanding of the SIS and how it can be used.
- Will there be additional questions that North Carolina will ask?
Yes, there will be a subset of additional questions that will be asked, such as level of intellectual disability, mobility etc.
- Will the SIS be done annually?
The SIS should be completed every two years unless there has been a significant change in an individual's life.
- Will the SIS be used to determined individual budgets?
The SIS will be part of the data analyzed to help estimate financial allocations for those CAP MRDD consumers that choose to self-direct their services.
- Where can I get additional information on the SIS?
Additional information on the SIS can be obtained by going to the web site: http://www.siswebsite.org.
- Who can I contact in the state office if I have questions regarding the SIS?
You can contact Rod Realon at Rodney.Realon@ncmail.net.
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