MASSCAP and Prioritization

What is MASSCAP?

MASSCAP is the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Process. It consists of two components: the Inventory of Client and Assessment Planning (ICAP), and the Client and Caregiver Assessment (CCA).

MASSCAP provides a consistent and fair process across the state. Combined with professional judgment, it helps determine an individual’s needs for services and the priority for services with consideration of health and safety factors. Both the ICAP and CCA are conducted through interviews without the individual present.

Inventory of Client and Assessment Planning (ICAP)

The ICAP is a standardized, proprietary instrument that assesses the functional skills and behavioral limitations of an individual. It is conducted through an interview process with an informant who has current knowledge of the individual’s everyday functioning. Often, the informant is a family member. In some cases where the individual is placed out of the home, the informant is a current caregiver.

The ICAP assessment is usually completed during the intake and eligibility process by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) eligibility specialist. The ICAP process results in a score from zero to 100, with lower scores typically suggesting greater needs for supervision and support. The ICAP can be reviewed or redone in the event of significant changes in the individual’s needs or functioning.

Client and Caregiver Assessment (CCA)

The CCA is a tool developed by DDS to understand the resources available to the individual, including the family caregiver’s capacity to provide care in the home. This capacity may be impacted by factors such as age, physical and mental health, the number of caregivers in the home, the number of dependents the caregiver is responsible for, and the capacity of the caregiver to provide a safe, supervised environment.

The CCA assessment does not result in a numeric score, but does provide a valuable summary of the caregiver’s capacity to provide ongoing supervision. Typically, the CCA is conducted by a member of the area office MASSCAP team. It takes place in the home of the caregiver prior to planning for services for the individual.

Changing Needs

The ICAP, CCA, or both can be re-administered any time that DDS area office staff recognize that the individual or caregiver has experienced significant changing needs.

Prioritization

An individual is prioritized only for services that have been requested. Services can be requested during the eligibility process for adult services, or later as the individual and family work with the 688 transition coordinator.

Prioritization for comprehensive 24/7 residential supports requires a thorough review of health and safety factors during the MASSCAP process. An individual’s priority status can be appealed, but the MASSCAP and its components are not subject to appeal.

Prioritized services do not begin until a student turns 22 or special education entitlements have ended. Family support services may be available while a student is still in school.