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Licensed Providers OCS Residential Licensing Circulars
State Central Registry and Risk Evaluation Panel (01.28.10)
In a letter sent to residential care providers, DSS provides information relative to residential provider compliance requirements with recent legislation (ACT 388).
- Read the full letter
- State Central Registry Forms
- Frequently Asked Questions
Licensing Enforcement Action Information (11.12.09)
In a letter sent to residential care providers, DSS announced a new order to achieve more effective and consistent enforcement decisions and actions in care licensing. As part of this new system for evaluating non-compliance in a more quantitative and qualitative manner, DSS will be reviewing and charting the history of compliance for each licensed center based on new criteria: Serious, Numerous, and Repeated non-compliance.
Proposed Child Residential Licensing Standards (10.13.09)
The proposed Child Residential Licensing Standards are expected to be finalized effective January 2010 and will apply to all Child Residential and Emergency Shelter Providers.
Declaration of Emergency (09.04.09)
DSS, OFS and OCS have exercised the emergency provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act to ensure that substandard facilities providing out-of-home care for children and elderly or infirmed adults that have had their licensed revoked cannot immediately reapply for a new license. As stated in the Declaration of Emergency, "allowing facilities whose compliance with state law have consistently fallen below minimum standards of care to reapply poses a substantial risk of harm to children and elderly or infirmed adults in outof-home care on a regular basis, and an emergency rule is necessary to prevent this imminent threat to the public health, safety and welfare."
H1N1 Flu Reporting for Residential Care (09.03.09)
Report cases of flu-like symptoms in your Residential Care center.
Renewal Applications
For renewals, the completed application and annual fee must be submitted to OCS at least 30 calendar days prior to the anniversary date of the current license.
A renewal license will be issued if, upon investigation, the provider continues to meet and maintain the minimum licensing standards and the annual licensing fee is paid.
If the application for renewal and fee are not received timely (30 days prior to the anniversary date) and the application is not completed thoroughly and accurately, the provider's license will expire on the expiration date shown on the license. If the provider continues to operate the facility after the expiration date, the provider will be reported to the DSS General Counsel for operating an unlicensed facility.
A license must be renewed on an annual basis. The month of issue of the initial license becomes the anniversary month for all renewals. Generally all licenses expire on the last day of the month. This expiration date will be printed at the bottom of the license.
What should residential care providers do in the event of emergency?
In preparation for hurricane season and other emergencies, including natural and man made disasters, OCS Residential Licensing and Regulatory Services requires all Adult Residential providers to verify readiness. All licensed Adult Residential providers must use the DSS online Emergency Preparedness reporting system. Register with OCS to obtain a user ID and password to access the system.
In the event that a hurricane or other disaster occurs and produces widespread evacuation and extensive property damage, action may need to be taken to help ensure the safety of all individuals being cared for by licensed providers. If a disaster occurs and you are in one of the AFFECTED PARISHES, it may be necessary to suspend your license WITHOUT NOTICE until your facility or home can be verified as safe to provide care. This may be accomplished by a required State Fire Marshall inspection, State Health inspection, on-site Licensing inspection and/or other agency-mandated procedure to ensure the safety of the adults and/or children in your care. Your license would remain suspended until your facility is verified as safe.
If such a disaster occurs, you should check the DSS home page (www.dss.louisiana.gov) to determine if your facility or home is located in an affected parish and for additional information and instructions in the procedures for re-instatement of your license. In addition, licensed providers should contact the OCS Residential Licensing and Regulatory Services at (225) 342-9734 as soon as possible once the hurricane or event has passed if instructions on how to reinstate your license is not available on the Web site.
