Assessment Process
To learn about the people getting services, the Division follows an assessment process. An assessment process is a set of steps taken to learn about someone or something. The Division uses the assessment process to learn about the people getting services. The results from the assessments show the person's level of need. Level of need is how much support a person needs to complete daily activities and be successful.
The Division has two assessment processes:
- Two-step assessment process
- Three-step assessment process
Two-Step Assessment Process
The two-step assessment process will happen every year before the person’s service plan expires. The two steps are:
- Additional Needs and Support Questionnaire (ANSQ)
- Individual Follow-up
Three-Step Assessment Process
The three-step process happens at the time of the Supports Intensity Scale-Adult Version (SIS-A) 2nd Edition. This will be when a person is first enrolling in services and then once every 5-years. If a major life change happens, the person may need to do the assessment sooner. This process includes the two-step assessment process plus the addition of the SIS-A. The three steps are:
- Supports Intensity Scale-Adult Version (SIS-A) 2nd Edition
- Additional Needs and Support Questionnaire (ANSQ)
- Individual Follow-up
The SIS-A is an assessment tool. The SIS-A measures a person’s level of need for supports. It has questions in it to better understand things the person does well. It also has questions about the supports the person may need to be independent and successful in the community. Many agencies across the country use the SIS-A. It finds out how a person is doing in many areas of life, including:
- Daily living
- Community living
- Lifelong learning
- Employment
- Health and safety
- Social interactions
- Protection and advocacy
- Behavioral support needs
- Medical support needs
The focus of the SIS-A is on the supports a person needs to be most successful in life. The assessment happens in the form of an interview and can take up to 3 hours. A Division SIS Social Caseworker (SIS SCW) will work with the person to complete the SIS-A. The person may invite people that know them well to this meeting. This can be parents, guardians, family members, or other people who work with the person.
To learn more about the SIS-A, visit the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) website. You can also review the BHDDH SIS-A Fact Sheet (PDF).
The ANSQ is a questionnaire. The ANSQ finds the person’s support needs beyond what the SIS-A found. It includes 8 topics to learn more about the person. The topics are:
- Legal
- Behavioral health
- Cognitive health
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Interpreter support
- Situational support
- Major life change
The same Division SIS SCW will work with the person to finish the ANSQ.
The Individual Follow-Up is between the person and the same Division SIS SCW. This will take place 3 weeks after the SIS-A and ANSQ. During this follow-up, the person will review the results from the SIS-A and ANSQ. The person will have the chance to share other information they think is important. They can explain the types of supports they need to be even more successful in the community.
After the Assessment Process
BHDDH uses the results of the assessments in different ways.
Results from the SIS-A are shown in a summary report that can be shared with the person and others they choose. This information is also shared with their chosen providers and case manager(s). The person and their case manager can use the report to decide what to talk about during the person's Person-Centered Planning (PCP) meetings. The person and their case manager can also use the results from the ANSQ and Individual Follow-Up to get ready for PCP meetings.
The assessment process provides information on the person's level of support needs. The state uses these results to calculate the person's funding level.
For a printable resource, review the Assessment Process (PDF).
This webpage was updated 4/25/25.