PROVIDER REPORT FOR
PARTNERS IN SERVICE
112 Main Street
 Hopkinton, MA 01748    

 
 
Report Date
March 3, 2011

WEB REPORT 

 

 
 
Prepared by the Department of Developmental Services
OFFICE OF QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

SUMMARY OF OVERALL FINDINGS
 
Provider	
PARTNERS IN SERVICE	

Review Dates	
2/2/2011 - 2/8/2011	

Service Enhancement 
Meeting Date	
2/22/2011	

Survey Team	
 
Martina Pocaterra (TL)	

Gregg Shumway	

Janina Millet	

 	
 
 Survey scope and findings for Residential and Individual Home Supports	
Service Group Type	Sample Size	Licensure Scope	Licensure Level	Certification Scope	Certification Level	
Residential and Individual Home Supports	3 location(s) 8 audit(s)	Full Review	62 / 63 2 Year License 02/22/2011 - 02/22/2013	 

 	 

 	
Residential Services	1 location(s) 3 audit (s) 	 

 	 

 	Full Review	13 / 14 Certified - with partial indicators std. met	
Placement Services	1 location(s) 3 audit (s) 	 

 	 

 	Full Review	13 / 14 Certified - with partial indicators std. met	
Respite Services	1 location(s) 2 audit (s) 	 

 
 	N/A	N/A	
Survey scope and findings for Employment and Day Supports	
Service Group Type	Sample Size	Licensure Scope	Licensure Level	Certification Scope	Certification Level	
Employment and Day Supports	2 location(s) 5 audit(s)	Full Review	45 / 47 2 Year License 02/22/2011 - 02/22/2013	 

 	 

 	
Community-based Day Services	1 location(s) 3 audit (s) 	 

 
 	Full Review	10 / 10 Certified - with all indicators std. met	
Employment Support Services	1 location(s) 2 audit (s) 	 
  	 
  	Full Review	18 / 18 Certified - with all indicators std. met	

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Partners in Service, is a small, nonprofit organization that was founded in 1997 by two individuals who shared a vision and commitment to providing respite services for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Since its establishment, the organization has steadily expanded its range of service options, which now include site based respite, twenty-four hour residential supports, employment support services, and community based day services. Currently, the agency supports fifty-eight individuals who reside in the DDS Middlesex West and South Valley Milford catchment areas. A significant amount of the agency’s funding comes from donations and fundraising activities, and through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). 

A primary strength of Partners in Service is its ability to promote the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. The commitment to valuing each and every individual was a foundational principle that guided the organization’s service delivery. It was consistently evidenced in many practices and observed across the range of service settings. This concerted attention to promoting individuals as skilled and competent maximized their opportunities to be welcomed and recognized as valuable members of their respective workforces, their neighborhoods, and the Hopkinton community.

The agency’s leadership in promoting an organizational culture that valued people has been embraced by the community at large. This has further contributed to the agency’s success in planning social and fundraising events that bring together large numbers of people from the Hopkinton community. There were a variety of ways individuals benefited from the social networking and integration aspects of these events. Additionally, the agency directed the funds generated from these activities into initiatives that benefitted individuals or otherwise improved the quality of services. These included subsidies for community membership expenses, improvements to buildings and physical sites, and programmatic resources.  

Other areas of strength included the mechanisms employed by Partners in Service to ensure the safety of each individual through its efforts to maintain safe environments where services were being offered. Systems were in place to ensure the ongoing inspection and upkeep of environmental and safety equipment such as heating, fire alarm, and sprinkler systems. Similarly, proactive measures were taken to promote health and well-being through nutritional education, physical exercise, and addressing medical needs properly. 
 
Findings also identified a few areas where Partners in Service should focus additional attention. These areas include revising the frequency of drills referenced in evacuation safety plans, promoting staff competencies in human sexuality education, collecting satisfaction feedback from all stakeholders, and formal development, implementation and monitoring of strategic planning goals. 

LICENSURE FINDINGS

 	
Met / Rated	
Not Met / Rated	
% Met	

Organizational	
5/5	
0/5	

Residential and Individual Home Supports	
57/58	
1/58	

 	

    Residential Services
    Placement Services
    Respite Services
    Individual Home Supports	

 

 

 

 

 	

Critical Indicators	
8/8	
0/8	

Total	
62/63	
1/63	
98%	

2 Year License	

 	

# indicators for 60 Day Follow-up	

1	

	 

Met / Rated	
Not Met / Rated	
% Met	

Organizational	
5/5	
0/5	

Employment and Day Supports	
40/42	
2/42	

    Community-based Day Services
    Employment Support Services
    Center-based Employment	

 

 	

 

 	

 

 	

Critical Indicators	
7/7	
0/7	

Total	
45/47	
2/47	
96%	

2 Year License	

 	

# indicators for 60 Day Follow-up	

2	

	
 
 Residential Commendations on Standards Met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Commendations	
 L50	Written and oral communication about and with individuals is respectful.   	The agency administration and staff are commended for ensuring that written and oral communication about and with individuals is highly respectful and reflects individuals as adults.  	
Residential Areas Needing Improvement on Standards not met/Follow-up to occur:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Area Needing Improvement	
 L5	There is an approved safety plan in home and work locations. 	The agency needs to increase its familiarity with DDS Evacuation Safety Plan requirements to ensure that safety plans meet the requirements established for the specific residential model.  	
Employment/Day Commendations on Standards Met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Commendations	
 L50	Written and oral communication about and with individuals is respectful.   	The agency administration and staff are commended for ensuring that written and oral communication about and with individuals is highly respectful and reflects individuals as adults.  	
Employment/Day Areas Needing Improvement on Standards not met/Follow-up to occur:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Area Needing Improvement	
 L7	Fire drills are conducted as required.	The agency needs to ensure that the number of fire drills conducted at the site matches the frequency of drills referenced in the safety plan approved by the Area Office. 	
 L15	Hot water temperature tests between 110 and 130 degrees.	The agency needs to ensure that the hot water temperature registered in bathroom faucets does not exceed 110 degrees.  	

 
CERTIFICATION FINDINGS

 
 	
Met / Rated	
Not Met / Rated	

Certification - Planning and Quality Management	
4/6	
2/6	

Residential and Individual Home Supports 	

 

    Residential Services
    Placement Services
  	
13/14 13/14 
 	
1/14 1/14 

	 

Met / Rated	
Not Met / Rated	

Certification - Planning and Quality Management	
4/6	
2/6	

Employment and Day Supports 	

    Community-based Day Services
    Employment Support Services	
10/10 18/18 	
0/10 0/18 	

 
 Planning and Quality Management Areas Needing Improvement on Standards not met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Areas Needing Improvement	
 C1	The provider collects data regarding program quality including but not limited to incidents, investigations, restraints, and medication occurrences.	The agency needs to develop measurements of data gathered on service quality for each service type.	
 C5	The provider has a process to measure progress towards achieving service improvement goals.	The agency needs to develop mechanisms that measure progress toward achieving service improvement goals at regular intervals. 	
Residential Services Commendations on Standards Met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Commendations	
 C9	Staff (Home Providers) provide opportunities to develop and/or increase personal relationships and social contacts.  	Many of the respite participants have developed meaningful relationships with others utilizing the service. The agency is recognized for their commitment to ensuring that schedules provide opportunities for friends to share time together while using the respite service.  	
 C15	Staff (Home Providers) support individuals to personalize and decorate their rooms/homes according to their tastes and preferences. 	The agency paid particular attention in supporting individuals to live in homes that were attractive and reflective of their personal tastes. 	
Residential Services- Areas Needing Improvement on Standards not met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Area Needing Improvement	
 C12	Individuals are supported to explore, define, and express their need for intimacy.  	The agency needs to develop strategies that promote staff competencies in the area of intimacy and human sexuality education.	

Employment Support Services Commendations on Standards Met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Commendations	
 C28	Individuals are supported to obtain employment that matches their skills and interests.	The agency is commended for its concerted efforts to network within the business community in order to identify potential employers and prospective employees that will benefit from each other. 	
 Employment Support Services Commendations on Standards Met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Commendations	
 C34	The agency provides the optimal level of support to promote success with a specific plan for minimizing supports.	The agency is acknowledged for supporting individuals to develop the skills to experience success in their jobs.  	
Community-based Day Services Commendations on Standards Met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Commendations	
 C40	Individuals are supported to explore their personal interest and options for community involvement, personal interest and hobbies.	 The agency's is commended for its ability to offer individuals a range of meaningful educational, recreational, and social activities that maximizes individual's opportunities to explore new activities and pursue their interests.     	
 C41	Individuals participate in activities that reflect their interests.	The agency is commended for its thoughtful efforts to support individuals to voice their opinions and feedback with regards to their daily activities at the Center or in the community.    	
 C42	Individuals are involved in activities that connect them to other people in the community.	 The agency does an exemplary job in ensuring that individuals have a visible presence in the Hopkinton community. This attention has had an important and positive impact on its community, which has been reciprocated by the community through a variety of supports and contributions to the agency's purpose. 	
Placement Services- Areas Needing Improvement on Standards not met:	
Indicator #	Indicator	Area Needing Improvement	
 C12	Individuals are supported to explore, define, and express their need for intimacy.  	The agency needs to develop strategies and resources in order to promote staff competencies in the area of intimacy and human sexuality education.	

 

 

 

MASTER SCORE SHEET LICENSURE
Organizational: PARTNERS IN SERVICE
Indicator #	Indicator	Met/Rated	Rating(Met, Not Met, NotRated)	
 L48	HRC	1/1	Met	
 L74	Screen employees	1/1	Met	
 L75	Qualified staff	3/3	Met	
 L76	Track trainings	1/1	Met	
 L83	HR training	1/1	Met	
 
Residential and Individual Home Supports:
Indicator #	Indicator	Location or Individual indicator	Residential Supports	Individual Home Support	Placement Support	Respite Support	Total Met/
Rated	Rating	
 L1	Abuse/neglect training	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L2	Abuse/neglect reporting	L	 

 
 	1/1	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L5	Safety Plan	L	0/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	2/3	Not Met
(66.67 %)	
 L6	Evacuation	L	1/1	 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L7	Fire Drills	L	1/1	 	 	 	1/1	Met	
 L8	Emergency Fact Sheets	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L9	Safe use of equipment	L	1/1	  	1/1	 
 
 	2/2	Met	
 L11	Required inspections	L	1/1	 
 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L12	Smoke detectors	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L13	Clean location	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L14	Site in good repair	L	1/1	 
 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L15	Hot water	L	1/1	 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L16	Accessibility	L	1/1	 
 	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L17	Egress at grade 	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L18	Above grade egress	L	1/1	 
 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L20	Exit doors	L	1/1	 	 	1/1	2/2	Met	
Indicator #	Indicator	Location or Individual indicator	Residential Supports	Individual Home Support	Placement Support	Respite Support	Total Met/
Rated	Rating	
 L21	Safe electrical equipment	L	1/1	 
 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L22	Clean appliances	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L23	Egress door locks	L	1/1	 
 	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L24	Locked door access	L	 

 

 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L25	Dangerous substances	L	1/1	 
 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L26	Walkway safety	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L28	Flammables	L	1/1	 
 	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L29	Rubbish/combustibles	L	1/1	 
 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L30	Protective railings	L	1/1	 
 	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L31	Communication method	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L32	Verbal & written	I	3/3	 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L33	Physical exam	I	3/3	 
 	3/3	 
 	6/6	Met	
 L34	Dental exam	I	3/3	 
 	3/3	 
 	6/6	Met	
 L35	Preventive screenings	I	3/3	 
 	3/3	 
 	6/6	Met	
 L36	Recommended tests	I	3/3	 
 	3/3	 
 	6/6	Met	
 L37	Prompt treatment	I	3/3	 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L38	Physician’s orders	I	 

 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L40	Nutritional food	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L41	Healthy diet	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L42	Physical activity	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	 
 	2/2	Met	
 L43	Health Care Record	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	 
 
 	6/6	Met	
 L44	MAP registration	L	1/1	 
 	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L45	Medication storage	L	1/1	 
 	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L46	Med. Administration	I	 

 

 	1/1	1/1	Met	
Indicator #	Indicator	Location or Individual indicator	Residential Supports	Individual Home Support	Placement Support	Respite Support	Total Met/
Rated	Rating	
 L47	Self medication	I	3/3	 

 	3/3	Met	
 L49	Informed of human rights	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L50	Respectful Comm.	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L51	Possessions	I	3/3	 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L52	Phone calls	I	3/3	 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L53	Visitation	I	3/3	 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L54	Privacy	L	1/1	 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L67	Money mgmt. plan	I	1/1	 

 	1/1	Met	
 L68	Funds expenditure	I	1/1	 

 

 	1/1	Met	
 L69	Expenditure tracking	I	1/1	 

 	1/1	Met	
 L70	Charges for care calc.	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	 
 
 	6/6	Met	
 L71	Charges for care appeal	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	 
 
 	6/6	Met	
 L77	Unique needs training	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	2/2	8/8	Met	
 L80	Symptoms of illness	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L81	Medical emergency	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L82	Medication admin.	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L85	Supervision 	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	1/1	3/3	Met	
 L88	Strategies implemented	I	3/3	 
 
 	3/3	 
 
 	6/6	Met	
#Std. Met/# 58 Indicator	 

 

 	 

 

 	57/58	 

Total Score	 

 	 

 	62/63	 

 	 

 	 

 	98.41%	 

Employment and Day Supports:
Indicator #	Indicator	Location or Individual indicator	Employment Support	Center Based Work	Community Based Day Support	Total Met / Rated	Rating	
 L1	Abuse/neglect training	I	2/2	 
 	3/3	5/5	Met	
 L2	Abuse/neglect reporting	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L4	Action taken	L	 	 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L5	Safety Plan	L	 	 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L6	Evacuation	L	 	 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L7	Fire Drills	L	 
 	 
 	0/1	0/1	Not Met
(0 %)	
 L8	Emergency Fact Sheets	I	2/2	 
 	3/3	5/5	Met	
 L9	Safe use of equipment	L	1/1	 
 	 
 	1/1	Met	
 L11	Required inspections	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L12	Smoke detectors	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L13	Clean location	L	 	 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L14	Site in good repair	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L15	Hot water	L	 
 	 
 	0/1	0/1	Not Met
(0 %)	
 L16	Accessibility	L	 	 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L17	Egress at grade 	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L18	Above grade egress	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L20	Exit doors	L	 	 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L21	Safe electrical equipment	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L22	Clean appliances	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L25	Dangerous substances	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L26	Walkway safety	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L28	Flammables	L	 	 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L29	Rubbish/combustibles	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L30	Protective railings	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L31	Communication method	I	2/2	 
 	3/3	5/5	Met	
 L32	Verbal & written	I	2/2	 
 	3/3	5/5	Met	
Indicator #	Indicator	Location or Individual indicator	Employment Support	Center Based Work	Community Based Day Support	Total Met / Rated	Rating	
 L38	Physician’s orders	I	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L39	Dietary requirements	I	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L44	MAP registration	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L45	Medication storage	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L49	Informed of human rights	I	2/2	 
 	3/3	5/5	Met	
 L50	Respectful Comm.	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L51	Possessions	I	2/2	 	3/3	5/5	Met	
 L52	Phone calls	I	2/2	 	3/3	5/5	Met	
 L54	Privacy	L	1/1	 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L55	Informed consent	I	1/1	 
 	3/3	4/4	Met	
 L77	Unique needs training	I	2/2	 
 	3/3	5/5	Met	
 L80	Symptoms of illness	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L81	Medical emergency	L	1/1	 
 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L82	Medication admin.	L	 
 	 
 	1/1	1/1	Met	
 L85	Supervision 	L	1/1	 	1/1	2/2	Met	
 L88	Strategies implemented	I	2/2	 
 	3/3	5/5	Met	
#Std. Met/# 42 Indicator	 

 

 	 

 
 	40/42	 

Total Score	 

 	 
 	 
 	45/47	 
 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	95.74%	 	

MASTER SCORE SHEET CERTIFICATION

Certification - Planning and Quality Management	
Indicator #	Indicator	Met/Rated	Rating	
 C1	Provider data collection	0/1	Not Met (0 %)	
 C2	Data analysis	1/1	Met	
 C3	Service satisfaction	1/1	Met	
 C4	Utilizes input from stakeholders	1/1	Met	
 C5	Measure progress	0/1	Not Met (0 %)	
 C6	Future directions planning	1/1	Met	
 
Community-based Day Services	
Indicator #	Indicator	Met/Rated	Rating	
 C7	Feedback on staff performance	3/3	Met	
 C8	Family/guardian communication	3/3	Met	
 C13	Skills to maximize independence 	3/3	Met	
 C37	Interpersonal skills for work	3/3	Met	
 C40	Community involvement interest	3/3	Met	
 C41	Activities participation	3/3	Met	
 C42	Connection to others	3/3	Met	
 C43	Maintain & enhance relationship	3/3	Met	
 C44	Job exploration	3/3	Met	
 C45	Revisit decisions	3/3	Met	
Employment Support Services	
Indicator #	Indicator	Met/Rated	Rating	
 C7	Feedback on staff performance	2/2	Met	
 C8	Family/guardian communication	2/2	Met	
 C22	Explore job interests	2/2	Met	
 C23	Assess skills & training needs	2/2	Met	
 C24	Job goals & support needs plan	2/2	Met	
 C25	Skill development	2/2	Met	
 C26	Benefits analysis	2/2	Met	
 C27	Job benefit education	2/2	Met	
 C28	Relationships w/businesses	1/1	Met	
 C29	Support to obtain employment	2/2	Met	
 C30	Work in integrated settings	2/2	Met	
 C31	Job accommodations	1/1	Met	
 C32	At least minimum wages earned	1/1	Met	
 C33	Employee benefits explained	2/2	Met	
 C34	Support to promote success	2/2	Met	
 C35	Feedback on job performance	2/2	Met	
Employment Support Services	
Indicator #	Indicator	Met/Rated	Rating	
 C36	Supports to enhance retention	2/2	Met	
 C37	Interpersonal skills for work	2/2	Met	
Placement Services	
Indicator #	Indicator	Met/Rated	Rating	
 C7	Feedback on staff performance	3/3	Met	
 C8	Family/guardian communication	3/3	Met	
 C9	Personal relationships	3/3	Met	
 C10	Social skill development	3/3	Met	
 C11	Get together w/family & friends	3/3	Met	
 C12	Intimacy	0/3	Not Met (0 %)	
 C13	Skills to maximize independence 	3/3	Met	
 C14	Choices in routines & schedules	3/3	Met	
 C15	Personalize living space	1/1	Met	
 C16	Explore interests	3/3	Met	
 C17	Community activities	3/3	Met	
 C18	Purchase personal belongings	3/3	Met	
 C19	Knowledgeable decisions	3/3	Met	
 C20	Emergency back-up plans	1/1	Met	
Residential Services	
Indicator #	Indicator	Met/Rated	Rating	
 C7	Feedback on staff performance	3/3	Met	
 C8	Family/guardian communication	3/3	Met	
 C9	Personal relationships	3/3	Met	
 C10	Social skill development	3/3	Met	
 C11	Get together w/family & friends	3/3	Met	
 C12	Intimacy	0/3	Not Met (0 %)	
 C13	Skills to maximize independence 	3/3	Met	
Residential Services	
Indicator #	Indicator	Met/Rated	Rating	
 C14	Choices in routines & schedules	3/3	Met	
 C15	Personalize living space	1/1	Met	
 C16	Explore interests	3/3	Met	
 C17	Community activities	3/3	Met	
 C18	Purchase personal belongings	3/3	Met	
 C19	Knowledgeable decisions	3/3	Met	
 C20	Emergency back-up plans	1/1	Met	

ADDENDUM OF ISSUES BEYOND THE PROVIDER'S CONTROL:
Licensure:
N/A	
  
Certification:
N/A	
 
GUARDIAN and FAMILY MEMBER FEEDBACK ADDENDUM: