Audit of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor performance audit of the Department of Developmental Services, covering July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.”

Auditors checked whether DDS handled serious complaints, incidents, and medication reports on time and according to its own rules.

“Our purpose was to determine whether DDS completed these processes on time and in accordance with its policies and procedures.”

DDS serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so delays in investigations or reports can affect client safety and care.

“DDS serves approximately 32,000 adults and more than 9,000 children who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

If you or someone you care about receives DDS services, this report shows whether safety complaints, medication mistakes, and serious incidents were handled quickly enough.

“Provider-operated community-based residential services, which included group homes, helped more than 10,000 individuals across the Commonwealth as of March 2019.”

DDS had repeated timing and oversight problems, including late decision letters, late action plans, improperly handled reviews, late incident reports, late medication reports, and missed security training.

“DDS did not ensure that medication occurrence reports were created, finalized, and reviewed within the prescribed timeframes.”

DDS said it had started making changes, including monitoring deadlines, creating workgroups, issuing guidance to providers, and improving security training follow-up.

“DDS has formed a workgroup consisting of staff from the DDS Bureau of Program Integrity, senior managers, and operations staff to develop and implement systems for the monitoring of timeframes for completion of action plans and administrative reviews across the state.”

The report matters because DDS is responsible for reviewing suspected abuse, mistreatment, serious incidents, and medication problems involving vulnerable clients.

“As part of its responsibilities, DDS conducts various types of investigations and reviews of allegations of suspected abuse, mistreatment, and other incidents that may pose a serious risk of harm to its clients.”

HCSIS is the online system DDS and providers use to file and track clinical information, incident reports, medication reports, restraints, and investigations.

“The Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS) is a web based service that allows Service Providers and [DDS] to file clinical information and reports on incidents, medication occurrences, restraints, and investigations.”