Sec. 10.21.29.09. Program Staff

A. Following an analysis of the complexity and number of minors served, the program director, with input from program staff, shall ensure the development of a staffing plan that identifies the type and number of staff needed to implement the program's rehabilitation service goals.

B. A provider shall ensure that the staff includes the following, who are employed by the PRP for the amounts of time outlined in §§C-E of this regulation:

(1) A program director, who:

(a) Is qualified according to §F(1) of this regulation and who is responsible for the duties under §F(2) of this regulation; and

(b) May be responsible for the duties of the rehabilitation specialist under §G(1)(b) of this regulation, if the program director:

(i) Is qualified according to §G(1)(a) of this regulation; and

(ii) Devotes the time required, under §C, D, or E of this regulation, to the development and implementation of rehabilitation services that reflect the need of the minors served by the program;

(2) As required under §C, D, or E of this regulation, a rehabilitation specialist or specialists, qualified according to §G(1)(a) of this regulation, to carry out the duties under §G(1)(b) of this regulation; and

(3) As required under §D or E of this regulation, staff designated to carry out administrative duties assigned by the program director.

C. If a PRP has fewer than 30 enrollees, the PRP shall employ either:

(1) A program director and a rehabilitation specialist, each of whom is employed by the program for a minimum of 20 hours per week; or

(2) A program director who is responsible for the duties of the program director and the duties of a rehabilitation specialist, if the program director:

(a) Has the qualifications described under §G(1)(a) of this regulation;

(b) Is employed by the program for 40 hours per week; and

(c) Devotes at least 20 hours per week to the development and implementation of rehabilitation services that reflect the needs of the minors served by the program.

D. If a PRP has 30-100 enrollees, the PRP shall employ either:

(1) A program director, who is employed by the program for a minimum of 20 hours per week, and a rehabilitation specialist, who is employed by the program for a minimum of 40 hours per week; or

(2) A program director who is responsible for the duties of the program director and the duties of a rehabilitation specialist, if the program director:

(a) Has the qualifications described under §G(1)(a) of this regulation;

(b) Is employed by the program for 40 hours per week; and

(c) Designates staff who devote 20 hours per week to carrying out specific assigned administrative duties.

E. If a PRP has more than 100 enrollees, the PRP program shall employ:

(1) A program director who is employed by the program for 40 hours per week; and

(2) A rehabilitation specialist or specialists and staff assigned to administrative duties, as follows:

(a) A rehabilitation specialist who is employed by the program for 40 hours per week;

(b) Two rehabilitation specialists, each of whom is employed by the program for 20 hours per week; or

(c) If the program director has the qualifications described under §G(1)(a) of this regulation:

(i) A rehabilitation specialist who is employed by the program for 20 hours per week; and

(ii) Designated staff who devote 20 hours per week to carrying out specific assigned administrative duties.

F. Program Director. The program director:

(1) Shall have:

(a) Sufficient qualifications, knowledge, and experience to execute the duties of the position; and

(b) A minimum of 3 years experience working with emotionally disturbed youth; and

(2) Is responsible for administrative oversight of the PRP, including, at a minimum:

(a) Fulfilling the administrative requirements under COMAR 10.21.17;

(b) Fulfilling the programmatic requirements of this chapter;

(c) Keeping the advisory committee, or governing body, whichever is applicable, informed of, at a minimum, the program's approval status and performance; and

(d) Quality management.

G. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Staff. The program director shall employ psychiatric rehabilitation staff, including:

(1) At least one rehabilitation specialist who:

(a) Is a licensed mental health professional with a minimum of 2 years direct care experience working with emotionally disturbed youth;

(b) Shall advise the program director regarding development and implementation of rehabilitation services that reflect the need of the minors served by the program;

(c) Has overall responsibility for rehabilitation services, including:

(i) Developing and assuring that rehabilitation services meet the needs of the individuals served by the program; and

(ii) Providing oversight for the daily program of rehabilitation services; and

(d) Shall educate direct care staff on how to document the correlation between rehabilitation activities and the goals identified in the IRP or ITRP;

(2) Direct service staff who:

(a) Are supervised by a licensed mental health professional or a rehabilitation specialist;

(b) Have 60 hours of on-the-job direct PRP supervision before providing services to minors served by the program without direct supervision;

(c) At a minimum, have:

(i) A bachelor's degree in a health-related field;

(ii) An associate's degree in a health-related field;

(iii) 30 hours, or their equivalent, of college credit toward a bachelor's degree in a health-related field; or

(iv) 1 year of work experience in a supervised mental health setting; and

(d) Are responsible for implementing the rehabilitation activities outlined in the minor's IRP.

H. Ratio.

(1) The program shall maintain an average ratio of at least one rehabilitation staff member serving each six minors who are either attending the PRP facility or receiving off-site services.

(2) To achieve this ratio, the program:

(a) May not include:

(i) The program director; or

(ii) Volunteers; and

(b) May include students only if, in calculating the ratio, three rehabilitation staff are on duty for each student.

I. Students. The program may use students according to the provisions of COMAR 10.21.17.11E.

J. Volunteers. The program may use volunteers according to the provisions of COMAR 10.21.17.11F.