Sec. 10.09.48.05. Conditions for Participation — Staff Requirements

A. Staff Capability Requirements. The provider shall:

(1) Employ only appropriately qualified personnel as set forth in this regulation;

(2) Maintain sufficient staff required to meet the needs of the service population;

(3) Have administrative and supervisory staff to ensure the quality of coordination of community services;

(4) Have a management capability team, each member of which has at least 3 years of experience providing coordination of community services or management experience in human services; and

(5) Maintain personnel files for each employee which includes documentation of staff qualifications as set forth in this regulation.

B. Staff Training Requirements.

(1) All DDA-licensed coordination of community services providers shall ensure through appropriate documentation that coordination of community services staff receive training in person-directed supports focusing on outcomes, as required by DDA.

(2) All DDA-licensed coordination of community services supervisors shall receive training in the following:

(a) Data collection, analysis, and reporting;

(b) Coaching, mentoring, and feedback skills; and

(c) Creative problem solving and conflict resolution.

(3) All coordination of community services staff shall receive training on procedures, protocols, processes, and regulations as required by the DDA.

C. Coordination of community services staff shall:

(1) Receive required training as specified in COMAR 10.22, which shall be documented and made available upon request;

(2) Comply with all State and federal statutes, regulations, and policies; and

(3) Demonstrate competency-based skills and working knowledge in the following areas:

(a) Negotiation and conflict management;

(b) Crisis management;

(c) Community resources including generic programs, local programs, State programs, and federal programs and resources;

(d) Determining the most integrated setting appropriate to meet the individual’s needs;

(e) Coordinating and facilitating planning meetings;

(f) Assessing, planning, and coordinating services;

(g) Assisting individuals in gaining access to services and supports;

(h) Monitoring the provision of services to individuals;

(i) Allied service delivery systems, including Medicaid, mental health, substance abuse, social services, juvenile justice, vocational rehabilitation, and corrections; and

(j) Regulations governing services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

D. Coordination of Community Services Supervisor. The coordination of community services supervisor shall:

(1) Except as stated in §F of this regulation, meet one or more of the following education requirements:

(a) An advanced degree from an accredited education program in human services and 1 year of experience as set forth in §C of this regulation; or

(b) A bachelor’s degree from an accredited education program in human services with 3 years experience as set forth in §C of this regulation;

(2) Demonstrate experience in one or more of the following:

(a) Coordinating services for individuals in Medicaid or waiver programs; or

(b) Coordinating services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities;

(3) Demonstrate experience in all of the following:

(a) Social services intake and referral services;

(b) Data collection, analysis, and reporting;

(c) Staff supervision; and

(d) Management or leadership;

(4) Supervise the work of coordinators of community services; and

(5) Monitor the quality of services.

E. Coordinator of Community Services. The coordinator of community services shall:

(1) Except as stated in §F of this regulation, have at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited education program in a human services field;

(2) Use all communication methodologies, strategies, devices, and techniques necessary, including sign language, assistive technology, or language interpreter services, to facilitate the involvement of the participant in the assessment, development, and monitoring of services and supports; and

(3) Annually advise participants of their right to choose among qualified providers of services including coordination of community services.

F. Education and Experience Waiver.

(1) Coordination of Community Services Supervisor. Education and experience requirements may be waived if an individual has been employed as a coordination of community services supervisor for at least 1 year as of January 1, 2014.

(2) Coordinator of Community Services. Education and experience requirements may be waived if an individual has been employed as a coordinator of community services for at least 1 year as of January 1, 2014.

G. An individual is ineligible for employment by a coordination of community services provider, agency, or entity in Maryland if the individual:

(1) Is simultaneously employed by any MDH-licensed provider agency;

(2) Is on the Maryland Medicaid exclusion list;

(3) Is on the federal List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE);

(4) Is on the federal list of excluded parties as maintained by the System of Award Management (SAM.GOV);

(5) Has been convicted of a crime of violence in violation of Criminal Law Article, §14-101, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(6) Violates or has violated Health-General Article, §7-1102, Annotated Code of Maryland; or

(7) Has been found guilty or been given Probation Before Judgment for a crime which would indicate behavior potentially harmful to individuals receiving services, as documented either through a criminal history records check or a criminal background check, pursuant to:

(a) Health-General Article, §19-1902, et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland; and

(b) COMAR 12.15.