Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-25.55

Current through Regsiter Vol. 46, No. 26, June 12, 2024

Rule 441-25.55 - County responsibilities

As the employer of the advocate, the county shall provide qualified staff to support and facilitate the provision of quality advocate services. The county shall:

(1) Assign a single supervisor, a single contract manager, or the county board of supervisors as the supervising entity to carry out responsibilities in this chapter.

(2) Have a job description in the personnel file of the advocate that clearly defines the advocate's responsibilities and qualifications as defined in Iowa Code section 229.19 and in rule 441-25.104 (229).

(3) Have a process to verify, within 90 days of the advocate's hire, qualification of the advocate, including degrees and certifications obtained from a primary source.

(4) Provide to the advocate training and education relevant to the position, including but not limited to overview of mental health diagnosis and treatment, the mental health and disability services delivery system, confidentiality, individual rights, professional conduct, the role of advocacy and service coordination within an interdisciplinary team, Iowa Code and administrative rules, and court procedures.

(5) Provide approved training on child and dependent adult abuse reporter requirements.

(6) Provide to any employee with access to individuals' files training on state and federal laws regarding nondisclosure and confidentiality of client protected health information during and after employment and maintain in the personnel files a signed document indicating the employee's awareness of the county's policy on confidentiality.

(7) Complete criminal background, sex offender registry and child and dependent adult abuse registry checks before employment of the advocate. Any person who does not pass these checks is prohibited from being hired, or continuing to serve, as an advocate.

(8) Provide advocate staff to cover the county's caseload at all times, according to, but not limited to, each county's unique number of individuals assigned to the advocate, travel required, types of settings where the individuals reside, services available and extended staff absences.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-25.55

Amended by IAB February 12, 2020/Volume XLII, Number 17, effective 3/18/2020