Individual Service and Support Advocacy (ISSA)
Individual Service and Support Advocacy (ISSA) represents the Department of Human Services' interests in determining whether program services are being provided in the interest of and to the satisfaction of individuals receiving the services. ISSA staff alert the Department when monitoring and technical assistance are necessary, and provides support to individuals, guardians, and providers in working through a variety of service issues, including those requiring conflict resolution, increased communication, and possible changes in support levels.
A minimum of four ISSA activities per year, approximately one per quarter, is completed for each individual receiving Medicaid Waiver services including CILA, Developmental Training, Home-Based Services, etc. The activities consist of the following:
- Participation in the annual development of the Individual Service Plan
- At least one visit to the individual's residence (whether or not it is a private home)
- One visit to the day program site, if the individual participates in a day program, regardless of the type of day program
- One visit at the discretion of the ISSA staff based on needs/issues involved, to the individual's residence or the day program.
There is no fee for this service.