Respite is a service that a member’s parent, guardian or natural support can use to provide themselves with a “break” from caregiving duties. Respite is a supervision-type service in nature, so a provider is responsible for ensuring the member’s health and safety during the service. Because there are no structured objectives or respite goals for the member, it can be fun in nature. Providers can spend time doing daily activities with their member (such as going to therapy, taking a trip to the store, picking up from school, going to the gym, participating in recreational activities) to special activities such as visiting a museum, hanging out at the park, shopping, doing arts & crafts, playing with toys etc. In respite, the provider assumes the role of the natural support who can use this time to relax, take care of other children or responsibilities or participate in their own activities.

Every DDD/ALTCS member receives respite services. In respite, providers can have up to 3 members at one time if they wish (such as group of friends or siblings etc.), although a majority of providers work 1:1 with a member.

Sometimes a family may want to go on a trip overnight without their member. The family and provider will work together with their Area Manager to ensure the member’s services are covered. 

Attendant care provides a member with assistance for personal care tasks, home tasks or specialized supervision. These are tasks that the member or natural support would typically be expected to handle themselves, but due to the disability or high-needs nature of the task, it cannot be completed without additional support.

For example, during attendant care a provider may be assisting a member with hygiene routines such as changing, dressing, shaving, brushing teeth, combing hair etc. or completing light housework such as cooking a meal for the member, feeding it to them, and cleaning up after the meal. Other attendant care tasks include toileting, diapering, laundry, cleaning, bathing, lifting, transferring, and assisting with mobility devices or adaptive equipment. Attendant care tasks are determined based on individual member’s needs, and must be allocated and approved by their DDD support coordinator.

When a member requires 24/7 supervision due to health and safety concerns, and their needs aren’t able to be met by a typical supervision-based program (such as a school, daycare, social program etc.) they can receive attendant care supervision. 

Providers who perform attendant care services must participate in monitoring sessions. Within 5 days of starting attendant care services, you will have an Attendant Care Monitoring visit. The ATC Monitor will briefly observe an attendant care task being performed. These visits then occur every 90 days, and are important in ensuring that the member’s needs are being adequately met in terms of quality, health and safety.

Habilitation is a service that promotes a member’s independence and life skills. In habilitation, a member may be working on goals such as how to independently ride a bus, how to chose clothing based on weather, how to brush their teeth, how to safely use the microwave, how to feed their pet etc. Every member has unique habilitation goals based on their Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP).

During habilitation, a provider uses everyday opportunities to practice the skills necessary to independently meet the member’s goals. Sometimes a member may need assistance while working on their goals, so a provider may need to support the member with verbal, physical or visual prompts. When a member masters a portion of the goal, you can build upon the skills already gained to continue learning and improving outcomes. 

Providers working habilitation will provide notes on the member’s progress after each session. These notes are then given to the Support Coordinator and are used to help determine goal mastery, any necessary revisions, level of assistance and overall progress. It’s important that providers make note of how often the goal was worked on, the type and frequency of prompting given, and the member’s accuracy or response to each goal that day.

If a provider ever needs assistance with strategies for working with a member on their goals, they can reach out to their Area Manager for support.

Yes, of course. Providers are authorized to bill a member’s services in accordance with their DDD authorization. Every member will have a different service plan and therefore have different scheduling needs. If you would like to increase your hours, you are more than welcome to speak to your Area Manager about additional shifts in your area for other members.

Yes, providers can be employed by more than one agency. It’s common for providers and members to deliver or receive services from multiple agencies. Please note that regardless of which agencies a provider works for, they are prohibited from billing more than 16 hours in a 24 hour period. Due to mutual company interests, providers who are employed by Absolute HCBS are unable to bill at Arion Care Solutions and Rise Above. 

Yes, parents and guardians are able to provide attendant care and habilitation services for their own children. Parent providers must adhere to the guidelines set forth by AHCCCS and DDD.

Parents of minor children have been authorized to deliver services through September 2024.

Providers can set their own work schedule and schedules can be adjusted at any time. Providers can be matched with a member who has a similar schedule to them. Some members need full time coverage, some need part time. Others only need services sporadically. We work with the provider to match their desired work schedule to our member’s needs, and you can always work with more than one member in order to fill your desired schedule. You can essentially work as little or as much as you would like. We ask that providers bill at least once a month to stay active and providers who are wanting to work more than 40 hours/week must have prior approval for overtime. Adjusted overtime rates will apply.

If you are going to be unavailable to work, you can go on a voluntary “Leave/Inactive” status. Let your Area Manager know if you need to take a leave of absence.

**Please advise that scheduling consistency is vital to service delivery. Members and their families rely on provider availability and clear, consistent communication between the provider, Area Manager and parent/guardian is key.

The current pay rates are:

Respite:

• RSP1 (Respite for 1 member) – $15.50/hr
• RSP2 (Respite for 2 members) – $19.60/hr
• RSP3 (Respite for 3 members) – $22.50/hr
• RSD (Respite Daily – 12+ hrs) is the same as RSP rates

Attendant Care:

• ATC1 (Attendant Care for 1 member) – $16/hr
• ATC2 (Attendant Care for 2 members) – $19.80/hr

Habilitation:

• HAH1 (Habilitation for 1 member) – $18.50/hr
• HAH2 (Habilitation for 2 members) – $23/hr

Housekeeping:

• HSK – $15/hr

Misc.:

• TRAIN (Training time) – $13.85/hr
• TRAVL (Travel time) – $13.85/hr
• SICK (Sick time) – $13.85/hr

Absolute offers the following benefits to providers:

• Paid training and training time;
• Free copies of certificates after 90 days of initial or continued employment;
• Paid sick time (1 hour earned for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year);
• Medical, dental and vision benefits for full-time providers (30+ hours per week);
• Opportunities to earn bonus for emergency or fill-in shifts;
• Overtime for approved providers;
• ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) bonus programs as available.

Providers must meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years old (you can begin applying a few weeks prior to your 18th birthday);
• Have at least 3 months experience with developmental disabilities (can include experience as a family member or friend; at school, work or volunteering; having a special education/paraprofessional certification; experience with disability in healthcare; or prior caregiving experience etc.);
• Have access to a smartphone or tablet with internet capabilities for EVV compliance when clocking in/out;
• Be able to pass a background check and obtain a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Have reliable transportation to/from a member;
• Be able to complete minimum necessary training classes as required;
• Be able to provide reliable transportation for members requiring transportation assistance;
• And be able to perform physical duties as required (such as walking, lifting, standing, bending, kneeling etc.)

You can submit an application to become a provider here.

Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by our HR department. The review process includes:

1. Initial read through of your application. Please ensure the application is filled out in entirety and up to date.
2. Phone interview – verification of disability experience & expectations. 
3. Completion of reference review and accompanying paperwork. All references will be required to fill out and sign a reference form, so please make sure that your references are readily available to complete this.
4. Background check. 

If you have any questions about your application, please email hr@absolutehcbs.com. 

Onboarding is the period of time where a provider is in the process of being hired. This is when your employment paperwork (such as Criminal History Affidavit, tax paperwork, direct deposit, fingerprinting etc.) and your initial training courses are completed. Proactive new hires can expect to have their onboarding completed in 14 days or less.

During onboarding, new providers will complete the following minimum trainings:

• CPR/First Aid
• Article 9
• DCW I & II (for ATC providers only, parent providers only complete DCW I)
• Annual policy review for Absolute HCBS

Additional hands-on trainings may be required (such as Prevention & Support) depending on the level of care that your member needs. 

Absolute HCBS pays for all trainings and pays the provider training time. Training time is included on your first paycheck. 

Providers are expected to maintain their training certificates. Prior to expiration, providers are notified and prompted to schedule renewal courses. Absolute HCBS will continue to pay for required trainings and training time as long as you are employed.