Providers shall provide necessary support services to consumers in both one to one and group settings, prioritizing Select Consumers, to promote and facilitate consumers’ participation in community inclusion and peer mentoring activities. SSPs shall assist consumers in various settings and locations, including, but not limited to, recreation, leisure and religious settings, day programs, camps, health and mental health care settings, senior centers, shops and restaurants. Providers shall also provide consumers with peer mentoring activities, health information and screenings, updates about the deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing communities and information about the use of and developments in assistive technology. Providers must be able to communicate with each consumer using the consumer’s preferred method of communication. Providers must be able to respond to each consumer’s request within twenty-four (24) hours, working with each consumer to accommodate requests, regardless of the geographic location of the consumer, the consumer’s preferred method of communication, the consumer’s specific needs, or whether the consumer requires support services during business or non-business hours, such as in the early morning, evening, or weekend. Providers may suggest activities to consumers, provided they offer such activities to all consumers. Providers must also provide transportation to and advance expenses and fees for community inclusion activities, including, but not limited to, registration fees. ADS-BESB will reimburse reasonable expenses and fees after consumers have participated in the activities and providers have submitted itemized invoices for such expenses and fees with supporting receipts...
