N.J. Admin. Code § 8:17-15.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 8:17-15.4 - Paraprofessionals and assistants

(a) Minimum qualifications of various paraprofessionals and assistants are as follows:

1. A child development associate shall have a high school diploma or GED and documented experience working with persons with disabilities from birth to five years of age;

2. An occupational therapy assistant shall meet the licensure requirements at N.J.S.A. 45:937.62;

3. A physical therapy assistant shall meet the licensure requirements at N.J.S.A. 45:9-37.11 through 45:9-37.34f; and

4. A service coordinator associate shall have a high school diploma or GED.

i. With Department approval, immediate family members, that is, parents or siblings, of a child with special needs or community members of an underserved population, who do not meet the education requirement at (a)4 above may be hired in accordance with a written plan for the education requirement to be met within a specified time.

ii. The service coordinator associate's roles, responsibilities, and level of supervision shall be commensurate with his or her experience.

(b) Under the supervision of a qualified and responsible practitioner or provider agency, paraprofessional staff members may perform the following functions:

1. Assist in provision of services to a child and/or his or her family in natural environments;

2. Provide supplementary services addressing goals described in the IFSP of the child and/or his or her family;

3. Serve as liaisons with organizations addressing issues of concern to the community; and

4. Provide translation and/or interpreting services, if other certified and/or trained translators or interpreters are not available despite reasonable efforts to secure their services.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:17-15.4

Amended by 54 N.J.R. 1798(a), effective 9/19/2022