Funding Sources: DHHS hiring agency/facility is responsible for the payment of DSSP vendors for services rendered from their program budgets.
Number of Individuals Served: Approximately 50 DeafBlind staff, consumers, and clients of DHHS programs/facilities.
Preferred Terminology: Driver/SSP
Certification/Endorsement: The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has a DeafBlind SSP/CoNavigator training that we encourage volunteer and contract vendors to complete, but we will accept certificates of participation in SSP/CN trainings provided by HKNC, PLI or the NC Division of Services for the Blind.
Types of Service Requests: The NC DHHS Driver/Support Service Provider Vendor List (DSSPVL) is a list of qualified individuals approved to provide driver and support services for DeafBlind clients, staff and consumers of the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on an as-needed basis. NC DHHS has developed the vendor list to satisfy the demands of state and federal laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as the NC DHHS Communication Accessibility Provision to benefit their clients, consumers and staff in providing reasonable accommodations which include drivers and support services. Each NC-DHHS division and office can utilize the DSSPVL list to easily identify and secure qualified services for DeafBlind consumers, clients, or staff and/or mixed group meetings, trainings, community forums, or public hearings and other division or office events, in the shortest amount of time possible at a standard hourly rate.
Training Requirements: Eligibility:
Applicant must be 18 years or older and possess a valid driver’s license for a minimum of two years and possess a good driving record as verified through the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles.
Applicant possesses necessary skills to perform services for DeafBlind individuals as stated in the scope of work, which includes: a) Provide transportation, b) Serve as Human Guide/CoNavigator, c) Assist with communication in informal settings if vision is an issue, d) Provide access to printed materials and e) Provide visual, environmental and social feedback information.
Program Coordination: Each NC-DHHS division and office can utilize the DSSPVL list to easily identify and secure qualified services for Deaf-Blind consumers, clients, or staff and/or mixed group meetings, trainings, community forums, or public hearings and other division or office events, in the shortest amount of time possible at a standard hourly rate.
Transportation: Driver/SSP vendors can provide transportation but a statement from their insurance company is required indicating the vendor has the minimum liability coverage as required by the contract and acknowledgement that the vehicle is used for business/for hire.
SSP Pay Rate: Standard (7am -5pm Mon-Fri) $24/hour and IRS rate for mileage reimbursement. Enhanced (after hours/weekends and holidays) $36/hour and IRS rate for mileage reimbursement.
Other: The request for DSSPVL services must be related to DeafBlind consumers’ DHHS services, DHHS DeafBlind employees’ work duties or DeafBlind Medicaid beneficiaries’ or companions’ Medicaid-billable services. SSPs are paid $24/hour for standard service (M-F 7am – 5pm) and $36/hour for enhanced services (after hours and weekends).