The following standards apply to all service agreements:
1. The proposed service(s) must meet the Manual's service definitions and must be purchasable;
2. Staff need not process a request for an agreement for a potential provider if the Department has sufficient providers available;
Exception: For child care, staff shall process a request for an agreement for a provider of the client's choice.
3. All service providers shall have a Social Security number or FID number, whichever is appropriate, before completing an agreement;
4. The potential provider must not be the parent of the minor child receiving services nor the legal guardian, spouse, or minor child of the service client (see 392 NAC 3-009.02 for further information regarding client relatives as providers);
5. The potential provider must not engage in or have an ongoing history of criminal activity that may be harmful or may endanger individuals for whom they provide services; and
6. The potential provider must not have a history of chronic incorrect and/or inaccurate billings whether intentional or unintentional for services that have been provided or have a criminal history of financial mismanagement.
If the provider is an agency, NDHHS staff shall review agency policies regarding hiring and reporting to ensure that appropriate procedures regarding abuse or neglect are in place.
If the provider is an individual, NDHHS staff shall check the Abuse and Neglect Central Registries to determine if any substantiated reports of abuse or neglect by the provider exist. If the provider provides services in his/her own home, NDHHS staff shall also check the Abuse and Neglect Central Registries to determine if any substantiated reports of abuse or neglect by household members exist. If a report of abuse or neglect has been substantiated, NDHHS staff shall not contract with the individual provider. If a report of abuse or neglect concerning a current SSBG provider (or household member) as perpetrator is substantiated, staff shall immediately terminate the provider agreement and notify case management.