SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina's Home and Community-Based Services Task Force issued its plan in August 2001. The report is available online at www.scddc.state.sc.us. The task force no longer meets on a regular basis, but its three work groups that parallel state government organizations serving people with disabilities have met informally throughout 2002. The work groups are 1) the Department of Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN), 2) the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and 3) the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)).

State officials reported several activities now under way that are aimed at implementing the Olmstead plan within budget constraints. These include:

• Developing a new transition curriculum for consumers who are exiting institutions. Since the state began its initiative to move people from institutions, approximately 30 individuals have moved from institutions to the community. However, the state is expecting higher numbers with the new transition services.
• Using person-centered services for people with disabilities. The person-centered approach, to be phased in over several years, will allow consumers and their families more choice and control in the services and support they receive from the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN). South Carolina has developed a "Qualified Provider List" of state and national providers. This list, approved in October 2003,will be available to consumers through community networks and the Internet.
• Contracting with an independent agency to conduct quality assurance reviews in order to provide objective analysis of service systems performance along key dimensions.
• Tracking individuals with complex needs to ensure appropriate response is provided to prevent inappropriate institutionalization.
• Implementing a positive behavioral support approach for supervisory and direct care personnel, using a competency based training model.

South Carolina received a Real Choice Systems Change grant in 2001 and a Nursing Facilities Transition grant in 2002. These grants are providing support for the activities listed above and for other quality assurance, community networking, and person-centered planning activities.

In 2004, South Carolina will advertise and distribute the Qualified Provider List to community networks. The state also will evaluate the quality assurance reviews to determine the effectiveness of its transition curriculum and person-centered support services.