Overview
Grassi provided Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) advisory services to Living Resources, a New York‑based nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Through a phased engagement, Grassi helped the organization prepare for CAS requirements and establish the organizational fluency, processes, and alignment needed to complete CAS assessments accurately and consistently.
The Situation
When the New York State OPWDD announced CAS as the required assessment for individuals receiving residential services, Living Resources engaged Grassi to support the transition. Beyond compliance, leadership recognized the need for agency‑wide training, updated policies and procedures, and a broader change management effort to align the organization around a shared understanding of CAS and deliver assessments that are needs‑based, person‑centered, and reflective of individual care needs.
Our Approach
Grassi structured the engagement in three phases to support immediate CAS readiness while helping the organization put the right training, documentation practices, and internal oversight in place to complete assessments accurately and establish sustainable best practices.
Phase 1: Assessment and Training
Grassi conducted a thorough review of previous CAS assessments, documentation, and workflows in collaboration with leadership to identify areas for improvement. Leveraging this understanding and drawing on nearly 40 years of experience with I/DD agencies, Grassi provided targeted, in-person training for executive leadership and direct support professionals, as well as family members and guardians of those receiving care. The training focused on enhancing interview responses, documentation quality, and overall assessment readiness through hands-on mentorship, mock interviews, and a train-the-trainer approach. Grassi also worked directly with OPWDD to help the organization navigate compliance requirements and answer questions.
Phase 2: Organizational Development
In tandem with training efforts, Grassi helped Living Resources establish the necessary organizational structure for the ongoing management of CAS. Collaborating closely with leadership, Grassi helped define clear policies, procedures, and documentation processes, facilitating the transition from paper-based practices to standardized electronic documentation. Additionally, Grassi helped the organization establish a dedicated CAS oversight function to coordinate assessment preparation, oversee documentation standards, and support ongoing quality review and accountability.
Phase 3: Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation
Grassi continues to provide ongoing monitoring and evaluation by regularly reviewing CAS outcomes, gathering stakeholder feedback, and sharing practical recommendations with leadership to support continuous improvement. This approach helps the organization maintain accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness as CAS integrates into ongoing operations.
The Results
The organization is now equipped with comprehensive training, clearly defined processes, documentation standards, and assigned oversight to support ongoing CAS delivery. In the first year of engagement, Living Resources consistently achieved accurate CAS assessments with minimal appeals. This enhanced assessment accuracy eased administrative burdens and ensured that individuals received funding levels aligned with their documented support needs.
Client Feedback:
“Tina and the Grassi team bring decades of experience working with I/DD agencies. That depth of understanding helped guide us not only through compliance but through an organization-wide shift, from executive leadership to direct support staff, while providing tools for families involved in care. Grassi’s three-phase approach ensured we had the right support at the right time, and as a result, we are completing assessments with greater accuracy and supporting more individualized, person-centered care.” – Jennifer Richard, Living Resources
