6510.1 A transition planning provider shall have the necessary expertise to deliver a high quality service to eligible individuals in each of the three (3) populations described in § 6501.1(a).
6510.2 A transition planning provider shall follow best practices in case management and care coordination, including ensuring that the staff rendering the transition planning service can:
(a) Establish rapport quickly and communicate effectively with clients/consumers, family members, natural supports, and providers;(b) Function effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team;(c) Conduct brief, evidenced-based, and developmentally appropriate screenings and conduct or arrange for more detailed assessments when indicated;(d) Create and /or implement integrated service plans for access to the array of linked services, and ensure exchange of information among clients/consumers, family members, natural supports, and providers;(e) Provide services in a culturally competent manner;(f) Effectively navigate the local system of healthcare delivery, coverage, and financing; and(g) Use information technology to support integrated service delivery and information exchange.6510.3 A transition planning provider shall establish and adhere to policies and procedures for selecting and hiring staff (Staff Selection Policy) that comply with the Staff Selection Policy requirements described in 22-A DCMR Chapter 34. FSMHCs, and MHRS and ASARS providers are deemed to be in compliance with this requirement, if they incorporate the transition planning service into the staff selection policies required under their respective FSMHC, MHRS, or SUD provider certifications.
6510.4 A transition planning provider shall follow the same personnel records and management policies required under its respective FSMHC, MHRS, or SUD provider certification, or the applicable Federal and District laws, regulations, and policies governing FQHCs.
6510.5 A transition planning provider shall establish a written plan for organizational onboarding and staff training and development, which reflects the training and performance improvement needs of its employees. The plan shall at a minimum include culturally competent training and onboarding activities in the following core areas:
(a) The provider's approach to service provision, including philosophy, goals, and methods;(b) The staff member's specific job description and role in relationship to other staff;(c) Policies and procedures governing infection control, protection against exposure to communicable diseases, and the use of universal precautions;(d) Laws, regulations, and policies governing confidentiality of client/consumer information and release of information, including the D.C. Mental Health Information Act, HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2;(e) Laws, regulations, and policies governing reporting abuse and neglect;(f) Consumer/client rights; and(g) Other trainings, as deemed necessary by the Department.6510.6 A transition planning provider shall establish and adhere to written job descriptions for all positions, including at a minimum the role, responsibilities, reporting relationships, and minimum qualifications for each position, as well as any ongoing training requirements. The minimum qualifications for each position shall be appropriate for the scope of responsibility and any clinical practice described for each position.
6510.7 A transition planning provider shall follow the same policies and procedures for periodic staff performance evaluations as required under its respective FSMHC, MHRS, or SUD provider certification, or the applicable Federal and District laws, regulations, and policies governing FQHCs.
6510.8 Individuals who meet the following criteria shall be qualified to render the transition planning service when under supervision of a clinician described in § 6510.9, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations :
(a) Individuals who are: (1) Certified Recovery Coaches;(2) Certified Peer Specialists; or(3) Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling, psychology, or closely related field ; and(b) Have at least at least two (2) years of relevant, qualifying full-time-equivalent experience in human service delivery;(c) Demonstrate skills in developing positive and productive community relationships;(d) Have the ability to negotiate complex service systems to obtain needed services and resources for individuals; and(e) Are trained within six (6) months of hiring and every other year thereafter in: (2) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM);(3) Motivational Interviewing; and(4) The Transtheoretical Model6510.9 Individuals who meet the following criteria shall be qualified to supervise individuals described in § 6510.8, as well as render the transition planning service themselves, in accordance with applicable scope of practice and supervision regulations:
(a) Be one of the following independently licensed clinician types: (3) Licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW);(4) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN);(5) Licensed professional counselor (LPC); or(6) Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT); and(b) Have : (1) A minimum of three (3) years of experience in behavioral health care delivery, and(2) Demonstrated knowledge in navigating local resources and systems in serving consumers/clients with mental health and/or substance use disorders.6510.10 Clinicians acting as supervisors shall provide clinical support and clinical and administrative oversight in accordance with applicable scope of practice and supervision regulations. For consumers/clients who have more complex needs and multi-system involvement, the supervisor may need to become directly involved in the provision of transition planning service components.
6510.11 If the transition planning service is to be rendered by individuals described in § 6510.8, a provider shall develop and establish policies and procedures related to supervision (Supervision Policy) in accordance with applicable scope of practice and supervision regulations, which shall require:
(a) Supervisor-Supervisee Written Agreements developed with participation of both the supervisor and supervisee, that include the following information: (1) Supervision frequency, length, format, and purpose;(2) How the supervisor shall evaluate the supervisee's performance and the individual goals designed to improve the performance; and(3) The supervisor and supervisee's rights and responsibilities in supervision;(b) Supervisors to document supervision sessions and include at a minimum the following information: (1) Date, length, and format of session (i.e., group or individual) ;(2) Name and signature of the supervisor; and(3) Highlights and needed follow-up ;(c) A minimum of four (4) hours of supervision to full- time employees per month, prorated to two (2) hours minimum for part time-employees (working twenty (20) hours or less per week);(d) The content of discussions to be related to service delivery and outcomes and include a review of clinical records to ensure they are current, appropriate, and complete;(e) A supervisor-supervisee staffing ratio that meets the following requirements: (1) One (1) supervisor shall have no more than ten (10) full-time supervisees or twelve (12) part-time/full- time supervisees; and(2) The mix within supervisor-supervisee and client/consumer assigned ratios shall be adequately distributed to address the complexity of the case, intensity of the service, and staff capacity; and(f) The provider to develop an internal system for supervisee access to a supervisor in the evenings and on weekends, as well as during normal business hours. This shall include circumstances and events that call for direct contact with the supervisor.6510.12 The following provider policies shall be submitted to the Department for review and approval during the certification and recertification process:
(a) Staff Selection Policy, if not already deemed in compliance as described in § 6510.3; andD.C. Mun. Regs. r. 22-A6510
Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 876 (1/15/2021)