CLC Resource Directory Inclusion Exclusion Criteria

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Introduction:

Policy Purpose: To define the kind of organization that can list their services on CLC.

Description: CLC is Washington’s statewide online access point for information pertaining to aging and disability services. CLC is an accessible web site for Washington State consumers, caregivers, service providers, and stakeholders who are looking for up-to-date information about programs and services pertaining to home or community-based service and support needs of older adults and persons of all ages with disabilities.

Consumers can search CLC and access its self-service functions anytime from the privacy of their own homes or from any public computer which has Internet access.

Not-for-profit, government and for-profit organizations who meet the guidelines for inclusion can have the aging and disability services they provide for older adults, adults and children listed on CLC. There is no fee for organizations to have their services listed on the web site.

Disclaimer: Inclusion in the statewide resource database does not constitute an endorsement of an organization, agency, or service by Washington State’s Community Living Connections Network. Exclusion does not constitute lack of endorsement.

Background: CLC is the Internet interface for Washington State’s Community Living Connections (CLC) network. The purpose of this network is to serve inquirers, regardless of income or location wanting information about services and supports for older adults, caregivers, and individuals with developmental, physical, or cognitive disabilities in Washington State. The CLC initiative supports the state’s efforts to develop streamlined access both at the community and agency level to these services.

Operational Findings: Although certain resources may be identified as population specific, we understand that every individual has unique circumstances, strengths, preferences, and needs. For example, an older adult may need help with meal preparation, but also may want to know about accessible fishing locations, assistive technology, grocery delivery and/or bereavement services. A younger adult with a disability may want information on disability advocacy organizations to participate in that advocacy, but may also want to learn about educational and employment opportunities, and/or personal support services.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Government, not-for-profit and for-profit organizations and programs that provide health, social, civil, education, human or recreational services that are targeted to, or are often used by, persons with disabilities, older adults, and informal caregivers.
2. Housing and facility establishments, healthcare providers, and home care providers; whether commercial, private, governmental, for-profit or not-for-profit.
3. The organization has been providing services for one year in the local communities in which they want their services listed; or is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
4. The organization must have an established email address, business address, phone number and a designated contact person for the purpose of data management communications.
5. The organization information will be updated, at a minimum, annually to ensure accuracy of resource information. Inclusion in the database requires that organizations comply with the directory update process within the specified time.
6. National, state, and regional professional organizations and trade associations that provide customized referral to private persons. This include the state or local Bar Association, various State Boards that license professionals such as Medical Practice, Psychologists, Certified Public Accountants, Geriatric Care Managers, Certified Public Guardians, Social Workers, Nurses, etc. and other organizations that provide listings of private-pay providers.
7. Organizations certified to accept Medicaid, Medicare or any Medicaid waiver program including for-profit, commercial or private organizations.
8. Advocacy groups related to health and human services issues.
9. Support groups that are sponsored by or affiliated with an organization or church as long as they provide services for all people and not just their members.
10. Organizations that are under a county contract to provide services.
11. Organizations that provide fee-for-service or case management approaches to service delivery of community social welfare and long-term supports and services for residents of Washington State.
12. For-profit, commercial and/or private organizations that do not fall into one of the categories listed above:
1. Provides a specialized service for older adults or people including children with disabilities that enables individuals to remain in their home as an independent person (as commonly understood);
2. Lack of comparable services from a not-for-profit;
3. Documented degree of need for the services (example through gap analyses).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Aging & Long Term Support Administration reserves the right to exclude any organization.
2. In general, private practitioners or medical doctors except as may be necessary under inclusion criteria, are excluded.
3. Individual elected public and government officials are excluded; however a hyperlink will be available to a state website providing their contact information.
4. Political or partisan lobbying organizations and candidates are excluded.
5. Organizations will be removed from the database if they neglect to supply accurate information about their organizations’ services.
6. Organizations may be removed from the database if they do not review or update their information at a minimum every twelve months.
7. Any organization that fails to respond to updating requests directly from the database manager may be removed.
8. Any organization that promotes or delivers illegal services/activities, pornography, violence, or misrepresents itself or otherwise offers material that is patently offensive to general sensibilities is excluded.
9. Any organization that knowingly or unknowingly discriminates or denies services based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, sex, presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, disabled veteran status or Vietnam Era veteran status, recently separated veteran status, or other protected veteran status and (in employment only) because of marital status OR intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination as stated in the Washington State DSHS Nondiscrimination Policy and/or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; is excluded.
10. Any organization that knowingly or unknowingly discriminates or denies services based on sexual orientation or gender identification is excluded.
11. Organizations that have been found to be in violation of municipal, state or federal laws or regulations and have been excluded from providing service under the requisite licensure or certification are excluded.
12. Organizations that provide free services are excluded when their primary purpose is to market the organization’s main business.
13. Organizations that are not established or are temporary in nature may be declined for inclusion.

Grievance Procedure for Organizations Excluded from the CLC Resource Directory:

1. The CLC Resource Directory Subcommittee reserves the right to make the final determination as to what organizations are included in the online directory and may remove or exclude any organization for fraud, misrepresentation, discrimination, service non-delivery or any other reason.
2. If an organization does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the database, the appropriate Resource Specialist will inform the organization.
3. To appeal a decision by a Resource Specialist regarding the inclusion or exclusion decision, an organization should follow these guidelines:
1. Talk to the Resource Specialist to clarify program services in relation to this policy.
2. If concerns are not resolved by step “a”, a written request providing rationale for the appeal or concerns must be sent to the local CLC’s Executive Director for response.
3. If concerns are not resolved by step “b”, a written request providing rationale for the appeal or concerns must be sent to the CLC’s State Resource Directory Specialist with DSHS-Aging & Long-Term Support Administration.
4. The CLC’s State Resource Directory Specialist, in consultation with the CLC Resource Subcommittee, will make a final determination of inclusion or exclusion.

To request that your organization be included in the CLC Resource Directory, go to the Organization Inclusion Request Form.