Syllabus for HCBS: The Basics

Course Summary 

HCBS: The Basics, a self-paced, virtual experience. 

Dependent on how quickly you move through this course, you may complete it in between approximately 5 to 8 hours. 

You can register or login for HCBS: The Basics here or follow the instructions in your registration email.

Course Description

This course will empower you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities by deepening your understanding of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule and equipping you with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement its requirements in your work. 

Course Information

Below you will find an outline of all course trainings. Each training is made up of one video with tasks, resources and more. Trainings are separated into modules. You can read more about the content of each module and how the course is organized below. 

HCBS: The Basics

  • Module 1: Context (12 trainings)

The Context Module helps you understand the basics of the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule including important players, the history of how we got here, and big ideas that will help you better understand HCBS.

  • Module 2: Blueprint (7 trainings)

The Blueprint Module gets you ready to learn about the 10 HCBS Federal Requirements. Before we dive in, we’ll go over how HCBS might apply to you and your work and a major change in your job description as a Direct Service Professional (DSP).

  • Module 3: Federal Requirement #1 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 1 focuses on how you will ensure community access for the people you support so that they can experience a richer and more connected community life.

  • Module 4: Federal Requirement #2 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 2 supports you in learning about residential and non-residential non-disability-specific settings, so that people with disabilities are aware of their options and can choose to live and engage in places that are not just for people with disabilities.

  • Module 5: Federal Requirement #3 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 3 focuses on the important concepts of privacy, dignity, and respect. Dignity and respect looks different for each individual person, but regardless of communication style or diagnosis, all people deserve these important rights.

  • Module 6: Federal Requirement #4 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 4 is all about the choices people you support have the right to make. You’ll learn how to help them make informed decisions and understand what it’s like to have more control over their lives.

  • Module 7: Federal Requirement #5 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 5 is about the right to choose services, supports and staff. You’ll learn ways to talk with the people you support about this right and how they can feel empowered to make these important decisions.

  • Module 8: Federal Requirement #6 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 6 is all about having a legal residential agreement in place to make sure that the people you support have  the same protections all tenants have. You’ll also learn more about  a big change coming to the way services are given in this field.

  • Module 9: Federal Requirement #7 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 7 explores important aspects about privacy in one’s home. You’ll learn about keys, locks, choosing roommates, and helping people decorate their space in a way that truly feels like their own.

  • Module 10: Federal Requirement #8 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 8 is about helping people have more control over their lives, including how and what they eat. The goal is to support people in having lives that look more like yours.

  • Module 11: Federal Requirement #9 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 9 tackles common questions and concerns about people having visitors anytime. You’ll discover ways to help make this a reality for those you support, so they can enjoy more time with the people they care about.

  • Module 12: Federal Requirement #10 (4 trainings)

Federal Requirement 10 explores accessibility for people you support from a broader perspective, going beyond just ramps and grab bars.

  • Module 13: Beyond the Federal Requirements (11 trainings)

In the final “Beyond the Federal Requirements” module, you’ll explore more important parts of your HCBS journey including modifications, documentation, communication and so much more. 

Course Expectations

What will this course offer you? (What will we do?)

In this dynamic course, HCBS: The Basics, we give foundational information about the Home and Community-Based Services Final Rule including what HCBS-aligned practices can look like in the lives of the people you support. To answer the question “Why HCBS?”, we look at  the historical context and current landscape of our field, leading to these important rights. We lastly dive into advocacy and what it truly means to support someone in living a meaningful life.

What will you leave with? (What do you get?)

Throughout HCBS: The Basics, you will learn to connect important HCBS concepts with your everyday work. Each module is filled with tasks that promote inspiration and self-reflection and resources to support HCBS in practice. You will leave with a sense of determination and confidence as you step into your new role as an HCBS advocate.

Alo Consultation

Co-founders, Jacqueline and Kaitlin met as Quality Assurance Specialists at a Regional Center in the San Francisco Bay Area and, with a combined over 35 years of working with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, decided to offer their services to this community they love so much. Alo Consultation  strives to be the most transparent, approachable and humanized voices in the field today.

Alo Consultation Vision and Values

Alo Consultation envisions a community of radical, compassionate, and brilliant learning that challenges and transforms our existing definitions of inclusion, connection and support within the disability community.

We commit to honoring this vision for our business by prioritizing the following:

  • Providing training and consultation for providers which work to expand society’s understanding of supporting people with disabilities. 

  • Continuously reviewing and revising our content to ensure it is current, engaging, and exciting. 

  • Staying open to constantly learning from people with disabilities. 

  • Respecting how people identify and listening to community voices with humility. 

  • Collaborating with individuals to create content that gives a voice to their lived experience.

Materials

This course is best viewed on a computer, but may be accessed through a tablet or mobile device. You may consider having a notebook and pen on hand to take notes that are useful to you. 

You will receive many resources throughout this training and we suggest printing and keeping them in a folder. Some of these resources will be additional reading to develop your professional practice and some of them will be tools that can be modified and used in your daily work.

Next Up

If you’re looking for another opportunity to spend time with the Alo Consultation team and are based in California, we invite you to attend one of our in-person, all day HCBS In Real Life workshops. Here you’ll engage in hands-on activities and share your successes and challenges with HCBS and receive feedback from others. 

We invite you to attend an HCBS In Real Life near you.

downloadable this syllabus here.