Frequently Asked Questions
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FAQ 1: PUNS, Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services
Revised Spring 2007
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What is PUNS?
PUNS stands for the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services.
The PUNS form gathers information about your situation, your needs (current and anticipated) and what services and supports you may need through the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (formerly Office of Mental Retardation). The information is collected by each county's Mental Health/Mental Retardation (MH/MR) office, also called that county's Administrative Entity.
The PUNS form describes how soon you will need services and supports. PUNS information helps the county and the state understand and plan for what you need, and when you will need it. PUNS information is entered into the state database, the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS).
The PUNS form is a planning and information gathering tool. Completion of the PUNS does not mean your service needs can be met at the time you fill it out.
Who Needs a PUNS?
Regardless of whether you are enrolled in a waiver, you need a PUNS if…
- You or your family member are in need of services and supports that you are not currently receiving.
- You think you will need services and supports within the next 5 years.
Why Should I Complete a PUNS?
The PUNS process helps the county and state understand and plan for your needs and how you relate to others waiting for services. It captures the supports and services you need that may be provided through the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP).
The information on the form will help your Supports Coordinator and County/Administrative Entity understand and plan for your needs. The county and the state use the information to create their upcoming annual budgets. It also tells the Office of Developmental Programs the types of supports people are waiting for in each county, to help identify gaps in services and supports in specific areas.
The Office of Developmental Programs uses PUNS data for planning and to explain people's needs to the governor's office and legislative budget office.
The advocacy community uses PUNS information to educate legislators about the needs of people with mental retardation who are waiting for supports and services.
When Do I Complete a PUNS?
After you register and are found eligible for mental retardation services with your county program, you will meet with your Supports Coordinator to discuss your life situation and determine if you need to fill out a PUNS form. You and your Supports Coordinator will update your PUNS at least once every year for as long as you need a PUNS. Anytime your needs change, you should contact your Supports Coordinator to update your PUNS form. If all your needs are met, and you are not waiting for any services and supports, you do not need a PUNS form.
How Do I Complete a PUNS Form?
The PUNS is completed during a face-to-face meeting with your Supports Coordinator. You can invite other people to the meeting to help you (e.g. employer, advocate, provider, teacher, friend, family members, etc.).
You need to review and discuss the areas of need on the form with your Supports Coordinator, and decide which categories or selections apply to you. Next, you and your Supports Coordinator will fill in the information about what supports and services you are currently receiving, and what supports and services you need. It is important that your PUNS form accurately reflects your need, as it is used to help the county and state plan for your needs. Everyone at the meeting will sign the form. Your signature indicates participation only, not agreement.
What Do the "Categories of Need" Mean?
There are three categories of need:
- EMERGENCY means you need support immediately (within the next 6 months).
- CRITICAL means you will need support within the next 2 years.
- PLANNING means you need support more than 2 but less then 5 years from now.
When considering all of the statements under each category of need, you should select all situations that apply to you. You can have more than one selection in each category. For example, you may have a caregiver who is ill and you may also be graduating high school in the next 2 years.
Anticipated needs that are more than 5 years away are not captured through PUNS, but should be discussed with your Supports Coordinator.
Why Does the Emergency Category Have Two Sections?
The emergency category is broken into two parts:
- The first part is for people who need "out of home" (primarily residential) supports immediately. You would use these selections if you need a new place to live where you can also get the support you require. Remember to mark the type of residential support you need in the Supports Needed section of the PUNS form.
- The second part is for people who wish to stay in their own home, or their family's home, but still have an emergency need for services and supports. The supports might include in-home, employment, day, or any other supports.
If I am Graduating from School This Year, Do I Need to Wait Until Graduation Day to Move into the Emergency Category?
No, the Office of Developmental Programs defines immediately as "within 6 months." You can move from critical to emergency when you are 6 months from graduation. Ask your Supports Coordinator to update your PUNS when you are 6 months away from graduating. This time period allows for locating and organizing resources. This time frame can be used for any criteria under the emergency criteria.
What Happens After the PUNS Meeting?
Your Supports Coordinator will enter your completed information from the PUNS form into the Home and Community Services Information System (HCSIS). Your Supports Coordinator will print out a copy of the HCSIS PUNS and mail it to you with a letter within 3 weeks of the meeting. You should look at the PUNS form you receive in the mail to make sure it accurately lists what you need. The letter will have information about your rights and a disagreement form that should be used if you don't agree with the information on the PUNS form.
What Happens if I Don't Agree with the Information on My PUNS Form?
If you disagree with the Category of Need or any other information listed on the PUNS form, you should fill out the disagreement form on the bottom of the letter you received with the PUNS form and mail it back to your Supports Coordinator. You will then discuss the problem with your Supports Coordinator and, if necessary, a Supports Coordinator Supervisor. If the issue is not resolved, it will be addressed by the County/Administrative Entity representative, who will make the final decision. If you are not enrolled in a waiver, all disagreements will be resolved according to the county’s dispute resolution process.
If you disagree with the information on your PUNS, you are not eligible for the formal Hearings and Appeals process. However, if you are denied the opportunity to apply for a waiver, you may formally appeal. Also, if you are enrolled in a waiver and you are denied a needed service or support, you can file a formal appeal through the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals.
You should know that the Office of Developmental Programs will be monitoring disagreements to ensure the Counties/Administrative Entities are following state policy. If you are concerned that your County/Administrative Entity is not complying with policy or you want information about the process, you can call the Office of Developmental Programs' toll-free customer service number, 1-888-565-9435.
How Long Will I Wait for Services and Supports?
The most important things that determine when you receive services are the availability of funding in your county and the urgency of your need. Each county gets an annual allocation of funding from the Office of Developmental Programs. Counties prioritize funding based on urgency of need, availability of services to meet these needs, and availability of funding. People already enrolled in waivers must have all their needs met before the County/Administrative Entity can enroll new people.
It is important to remember that the Waiting List is not like a bakery or deli line where each person has a number. The County/Administrative Entity matches available resources with individual needs to determine who gets services and when. People in Emergency will have priority, but may still have to wait.
What Should I Do While I Wait?
Waiting for needed services and supports can be frustrating. You can look for natural supports in your community. Natural supports are things people do to help without getting paid. It could be friends or family, church members, co-workers, or neighbors. There may be community organizations that can help. Look into YMCAs, recreation centers, volunteer agencies, and advocacy organizations for ideas and help. Your Supports Coordinator may also give you information about community resources.
Who Can I Contact if I Have Questions or Concerns About My PUNS Form, or the PUNS Process?
You can contact the Pennsylvania Training Partnership for People with Disabilities and Families (The Partnership). They offer technical assistance to families and people with disabilities.
Each County/Administrative Entity has a person that can help you. Ask for the "PUNS Point Person." Regional offices also have a person who is a PUNS point person, and the Office of Developmental Programs has a toll free number you can call.
Information about the PUNS is available on the Department of Public Welfare website: www.dpw.state.pa.us
The State Office of Developmental Programs Has a Toll-Free Phone Number for You to Call if You Have Questions About PUNS.
Additionally, The Partnership and its participating agencies can answer questions and offer assistance to individuals or their families.
Office of Developmental Programs 1-888-565-9435
ODP Regional Point People (as of March 2007):
Central
Wayland Gillingham
Tel: 717-772- 6485
Email: wgillingha@state.pa.us
Northeast
Michele O'Toole
Tel: 570-963-3212
Email: micotoole@state.pa.us
Southeast
Rhonda Shapey
Tel: 215-560-6293
Email: rshapey@state.pa.us
Western
Ginger Monaghan
Tel: 412-565-5129
Email: vmonaghan@state.pa.us
The Partnership
Tel: 1-866-865-6170
Web: www.TheTrainingPartnership.org
The Partners:
Achieva
Tel: 412-995-5000
Toll free: 1-888-272-7229
Web: www.achieva.info
Mentors for Self Determination
Tel: 814-547-1577
Tel: 724-813-5702
Web: www.mentors4sd.org
Self-Advocates United as 1
Tel: Eastern, 215-923-3349. Western, 724-813-5702.
Vision for Equality
Tel: Philadelphia: 215-923-3349
Tel: Harrisburg: 717-233-2424
Web: www.visionforequality.org
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
Tel: 215-204-3031
Tel: 1-866-865-6170
Web: http://disabilities.temple.edu
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This information is available in alternate formats, upon request.
