How DDA Case Managers Refer Residents to an Adult Family Home
A clear walkthrough of the DDA referral workflow so case managers know exactly what to send, what to expect at assessment and tour, and how placement documentation flows.
Step 1: Submit the Referral Packet
The case manager submits a referral packet including the resident's DDA assessment, current care plan, Behavioral Support Plan (if applicable), medication list, medical history, and any court or guardianship documentation. The more complete the packet, the faster the provider can assess fit.
Avenue Home acknowledges every referral within 24 business hours and confirms receipt of the packet.
Step 2: Clinical Assessment and Fit Review
The provider's care team reviews the packet against the home's licensed capacity, staffing model, and behavioral support capability. This determines whether the home can safely meet the resident's assessed needs and whether the peer environment is a good match.
If the home is not the right fit, a responsive provider says so quickly and may suggest alternatives - vague delays usually indicate capacity problems.
Step 3: Tour and Pre-Placement
The case manager and guardian tour the home, review the resident bedroom, meet key staff, and discuss the daily routine and communication protocol. A gentle resident introduction may be scheduled to ease transition.
This is also when waiver billing compatibility and the placement timeline are confirmed.
Step 4: Placement and Documentation
On placement, the provider finalizes the resident agreement, initiates RN delegation if needed, establishes the BSP implementation and data-reporting cadence, and confirms the communication schedule with the case manager.
Ongoing documentation - incident reports, behavior data, care plan reviews - flows back to the case manager on an agreed cadence.
About the author
The Avenue Home Care Team includes licensed adult family home administrators, trained direct support professionals, and a contracted Registered Nurse with combined experience in DDA residential care, ABA-informed behavioral support, and RN delegation in Washington State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the DDA referral to placement process take?+
With a complete referral packet, a responsive provider acknowledges within 24 business hours, completes clinical assessment within days, and schedules tour and placement within 1-2 weeks depending on availability and the resident's assessed needs.
Have questions about placement at Avenue Home?
Our intake team responds to DDA referrals within 24 business hours.
Schedule a Tour or Submit Referral