Practices varied across providers. Most reported that they follow the DDS/DHS standards for each individual program rather than maintaining a single agency-wide PBSP policy. However, having a written agency policy that cross-references program-specific standards is considered a best practice during audits and licensing reviews.

Common provider approaches include:
– Writing PBSPs for all clients who display behaviors that challenge safety or program participation
– Requiring a PBSP whenever a behavior intervention is documented in the ISP
– Conducting a behavioral screening at intake and triggering a PBSP if thresholds are met

DDS requires a PBSP when a client exhibits behaviors requiring planned interventions — the individual ISP drives whether a PBSP is clinically indicated. Providers who do not yet have a formal PBSP policy in their P&P manual were encouraged to add one that references the applicable program standards.