Sec. 10.09.89.09. Covered Services — Family Peer Support Services

Family peer support services:

A. May be provided without the presence of the participant;

B. Are delivered by a family peer support partner employed by a family support organization (FSO);

C. May include, but are not limited to:

(1) Explaining the role and function of the FSO to newly enrolled families and creating linkages to other peers and supports in the community;

(2) Working with the participant and family to identify and articulate concerns, needs, and vision for the future of the participant;

(3) Ensuring family and participant opinions and perspectives are incorporated into the CFT process and POC:

(a) Through communication with the care coordinator and team members; and

(b) By attending CFT meetings with the family to support family decision-making and choice of options;

(4) Listening to the family express needs and concerns and offering suggestions for engagement in the treatment process;

(5) Helping the family identify and engage its own natural support system and facilitating the family attending peer support groups and other FSO activities throughout the POC process;

(6) Working with the family:

(a) To organize and prepare for meetings in order to maximize participation in meetings;

(b) By informing the family about options and possible outcomes in selecting services and supports to assist with informed decision-making; and

(c) By supporting the family in meetings at school and other locations in the community and during court hearings;

(7) Empowering the family to make choices to achieve desired outcomes for the participant as well as the entire family; and

(8) Helping the family to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to attain greater self-sufficiency and maximum autonomy and assisting the family to develop the skills and confidence to independently identify, seek out and access resources that will assist in:

(a) Managing and mitigating the participant’s behavioral health condition or conditions;

(b) Preventing the development of secondary or other chronic conditions;

(c) Promoting optimal physical and behavioral health; and

(d) Addressing and encouraging activities related to health and wellness.

D. Are provided by a family support organization (FSO) that:

(1) Is designated as a private, nonprofit entity designated under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, and submits copies of the certificate of incorporation and Internal Revenue Service designation;

(2) Has a board of directors comprised of more than 50 percent of individuals who are:

(a) Caregivers with a current or previous primary daily responsibility for raising a child or youth with behavioral health challenges,

(b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; or

(c) Both §D(2)(a) and (b) of this regulation.

(3) Submits a list of board members with identification of those who are caregivers meeting the criteria in §D(2)(b) of this regulation;

(4) Establishes hiring practices that give preference to:

(a) Current or previous caregivers of a child or youth with behavioral health challenges;

(b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; or

(c) Both §D(4)(a) and (b) of this regulation;

(5) Submits a copy of the organization’s personnel policy that sets forth the preferred employment criteria stated in §D(4) of this regulation;

(6) Employs a staff that is comprised of at least 75 percent of individuals who are:

(a) Current or previous caregivers of a child or youth with behavioral health challenges; or

(b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges;

(7) Submits a list of staff and positions held with identification of those who fit the experienced caregiver and consumer criteria stated in §D(6) of this regulation; and

(8) Submits a certificate of eligibility that includes:

(a) Attestation of compliance with §D(1)-(6) of this regulation; and

(b) The organization’s mission statement that establishes the purpose of the organization as providing support and education to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges and their caregivers;

E. Shall be provided by family peer support partners who:

(1) Are employed by an FSO;

(2) Are 18 years old or older;

(3) Receive supervision from an individual who:

(a) Is 21 years old or older; and

(b) Has at least 3 years of experience providing family peer-to-peer support or working with children with serious behavioral health challenges and their families;

(4) Have current or prior experience as a caregiver of a child with behavioral health challenges or be an individual who has experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; and

(5) Receive training and certification as approved by the Department; and

F. Effective July 1, 2019, are reimbursed at the following rates:

(1) $17.80 per 15 minute unit for face-to-face services; or

(2) $8.89 per 15 minute unit for telephonic or other non- face-to-face activities.