Options Counseling Service Standard 650-25-40

(Revised 5/10/21 ML #3621)

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Options Counseling is a short-term service that is person-centered and provides information and assistance to help individuals, family members, and/or caregivers to feel empowered in determining appropriate long-term services and supports based on the individual’s needs, preferences, values, and circumstances. Options counseling ensures the individual receives a variety of possibilities when planning for long-term services and supports and encourages planning for the future.

 

Five core competencies of options counseling have been identified by the Aging and Disability Resource Center Technical Assistance Exchange (ADRC-TAE):

1. Determining the need for options counseling
2. Assessing needs, values and preferences
3. Understanding and educating about public and private sector resources
4. Facilitating self-direction/self-determination
5. Encouraging future planning

 

Aging and Disability Resource Link (ADRL) Intake Specialists will refer individuals for options counseling whenever appropriate. Situations where a referral for options counseling might be appropriate are, but not limited to:

1. When information on long-term supports and services is requested and the person does not qualify for state or federally funded home and community-based services (HCBS) i.e. Service Payments for the Elderly and Disabled (SPED), Expanded Service Payments for the Elderly and Disabled (Ex-SPED), Medicaid State Plan – Personal Care Services (MSP-PC), Medicaid Waivers for HCBS.
   
   
2. When an individual has unmet care needs and the person does not qualify for state or federally funded HCBS i.e. SPED, Ex-SPED, MSP-PC, HCBS Medicaid Waivers.
   
   
3. When the individual needs assistance with:

• Benefits counseling
• Advocacy
• Guidance and direction to support decision-making processes for long-term care planning
• Learning how to access services, facility-based care, etc.
• Completing and submitting forms/applications including but not limited to:

• Housing
• Medicaid
• Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Social Security Benefits, etc.

4. When a long-distance family member has concerns about the increased frailty or care needs of a family member and the person does not qualify for state or federally funded HCBS i.e. SPED, Ex-SPED, MSP-PC, HCBS Medicaid Waivers.
   
   
5. When it becomes evident the individual requests more time and attention and can benefit from a more in-depth discussion via in-person, virtual, and/or telephone regarding the available service options and how they can be accessed than what the ADRL Intake Specialists can offer.
   
   
6. Options Counseling cannot duplicate other services the individual is receiving.