TLDR Summary Meal decisions are a core part of person centered planning. HCBS compliance requires daily choice in foods, timing, and setting. Meal restrictions must be documented and reviewed. DSPs must record choices and supports in simple, clear notes. Providers should use tools that make meal choice easy and safe. Person Centered Meal Planning for HCBS and Group Home Providers Person centered choice is a required part of HCBS compliance. Meals are one of the clearest ways

Empowering Individual Choice in HCBS: Compliance and Practice Individual choice is not only a value. It is a federal requirement for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The CMS HCBS Final Rule (2014) established that people receiving Medicaid-funded services must have real control over where they live, who supports them, and how they spend their time (CMS, 2014). For providers, the challenge is turning that principle into daily practice while maintaining compliance. Wha

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Documentation: The Backbone of Compliance When auditors review group home or home care records, the first thing they look for is DSP documentation. Every shift note, progress entry, and incident form paints a picture of how care is delivered. If documentation is weak, inconsistent, or late, compliance risk skyrockets. For providers in home and community-based services (HCBS), strong documentation isn’t optional, it’s a regulatory requirement

Why verifying credentials and competency matters before you hire Beyond licenses: knowing who you are trusting with your program In healthcare and human services, “qualified” is not just about credentials. It is about competency, fit, and ethics. Directors and consultants often make decisions that directly affect care quality, billing accuracy, and compliance outcomes. A polished résumé or familiar name is not proof of integrity or skill. CMS and OIG have made clear that over

Confidentiality is of utmost importance in residential group homes, as it safeguards the privacy, dignity, and rights of individuals with...

Documentation and record-keeping play a critical role in ensuring high-quality care and compliance within Intellectual and Developmental...

In the realm of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) group homes, the provision of comprehensive mental and behavioral...