Direct Support Professional (DSP) Orientation & Welcome Guide
Orientation for DSPs working with clients under Service Code 062 and Service Code 862.
1. The Developmental Disabilities System
California has a special law called the Lanterman Act. This law says that people with disabilities have the right to get the help they need to live happy, independent lives in their home towns.
Regional Centers are local non-profit groups that find and pay for this help. They hire agencies like Adaley to find and train staff to provide this help.
2. Important California Laws (WIC Rules)
As a DSP, you must follow these state laws closely during your shifts:
| Law Number | What It Is | What You Must Do |
|---|---|---|
| WIC § 4502 | Human Rights | Treat clients with respect. They have the same exact rights as everyone else. |
| WIC § 4504 | Ability to Choose | Always assume the client can make choices for themselves unless a judge says they cannot. |
| WIC § 4518 | Privacy Rules | Keep all client secrets and info safe. Never share their personal stories or pictures with others. |
| WIC § 4646.5 | The Individual Program Plan (IPP) | The client has a master list of personal goals. Your job is to help them reach those specific goals. |
| WIC § 4648 | Regional Center Role | This law lets the Regional Center pay for home services so clients do not have to live in hospitals or outside of their home. |
| WIC § 4655 | Doctor Rules | The Regional Center can approve emergency doctor care if parents cannot be reached. Always know who to call. |
| WIC § 4710 & 4710.5 | Fair Hearing Rights | If a family does not agree with a change to their services, they have the legal right to ask for an official review. |
3. Client Rights (Title 17, Section 50510)
Clients have rights that nobody can take away. You must make sure your client can always:
- Be treated with kindness and have their privacy respected.
- Practice any religion they choose.
- Be safe from hitting, mean words, neglect, or being locked in a room.
- Be part of the community and do fun things with others.
- Pick out their own clothes and keep their own personal belongings.
4. Your Job: Service Code 062 vs. Service Code 862
Your daily duties depend on the service code assigned to your shift. Make sure you know which service you are doing:
Code 062: Personal Assistance
The Goal: Teach Skills for Daily Life
- Help Them Learn: You actively teach the client how to do things on their own.
- Real-World Skills: Help them practice using utensils, staying safe in public, or brushing their teeth.
- Focus: Keeping the client active and learning new things every day.
Code 862: In-Home Respite Services
The Goal: Give the Family a Break
- Give Relief: You watch the client so their regular family caregiver can rest or go run errands.
- Keep Them Safe: You hang out with the client, and protect them at home while the family is busy.
- Focus: Keeping the client safe and happy. You are not there to clean the house or take care of siblings.
5. Stopping Abuse & Reporting Problems (SIR)
By law, you are a Mandated Reporter. This means if you see or suspect that a client is being hurt or neglected, you must report it right away.
What to do if something bad happens
You must report big problems like injuries, hospital visits, lost clients, or suspected abuse immediately so the agency can file a Special Incident Report (SIR).
6. Emergency Procedures
On your very first day with a new family, look around the home and find these things:
- Phone Numbers: Find the list for 911, Poison Control, the parents' cell phones, and the Adaley office number.
- Safety Items: Find the exit doors, fire alarms, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.
- Health Needs: Ask about client allergies, seizures, or special medical needs. Know where emergency tools like a fire extinguisher are kept.
7. Using the Aaniie EVV App (Clocking In)
A federal law says you must use the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) to verify shifts. Adaley uses Aaniie software (formerly called SmartCare) on your phone to track your shifts and comply with this la. The app keeps track of the date, time, and exact location of your visit to make sure your hours are real and accurate.
How the App Tracks Your Location:
- GPS Tracking: The Aaniie app uses your smartphone's built-in GPS to pin your exact location the second you hit "Clock In" and "Clock Out."
- Where to Clock In (Code 862 - In-Home Respite): Because respite is an in-home service, you must clock in and out inside the client's home. The app checks your GPS coordinates to ensure they match the client's home address.
- Where to Clock In (Code 062 - Personal Assistance): Because personal assistance includes helping out in public, your shift can start or end in the community. You must clock in at the exact location where you take over care (like a park, store, or community center). The app will pin that specific community spot.