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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 12. Health
Agency 30. Department of Medical Assistance Services
Chapter 130. Amount, Duration and Scope of Selected Services
12/22/2024

12VAC30-130-5160. Peer support services and family support partners: definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this part shall have the following meanings:

"Behavioral health service" means treatments and services for mental or substance use disorders.

"Caregiver" means the family members, friends, or neighbors who provide unpaid assistance to a Medicaid member with a mental health or substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder. "Caregiver" does not include individuals who are employed to care for the member.

"Direct supervisor" means the person who provides direct supervision to the peer recovery specialist. The direct supervisor (i) shall have two consecutive years of documented practical experience rendering peer support services or family support services, have certification as a PRS under a certifying body approved by DBHDS, and have documented completion of the DBHDS PRS supervisor training; (ii) shall be a practitioner who has documented completion of the DBHDS PRS supervisor training, meets the definition of "credentialed addiction treatment professional" found in 12VAC30-130-5020, and is acting within his scope of practice under state law; or (iii) shall be a certified substance abuse counselor (CSAC) as defined in § 54.1-3507.1 of the Code of Virginia who has documented completion of the DBHDS PRS supervisor training if he is acting under the supervision or direction of a licensed substance use treatment practitioner or licensed mental health professional. If a practitioner referenced in clause (ii) of this definition or a CSAC referenced in clause (iii) of this definition provides services before April 1, 2018, he shall have until April 1, 2018, to complete the DBHDS PRS supervisor training.

"Peer recovery specialist" or "PRS" means a person who has the qualifications, education, and experience established by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 12VAC35-250-10.

"Peer recovery support services" means the same as defined in 12VAC35-250-10.

"Person centered" means a collaborative process where the individual participates in the development of his treatment goals and makes decisions about the services provided.

"Recovery-oriented services" means providing support and assistance to an individual with mental health or substance use disorders or both so that the individual (i) improves his health, recovery, resiliency, and wellness; (ii) lives a self-directed life; and (iii) strives to reach his full potential.

"Recovery, resiliency, and wellness plan" means a written set of goals, strategies, and actions to guide the individual and the health care team to move the individual toward the maximum achievable independence and autonomy in the community. The documented comprehensive wellness plan shall be developed with the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S who conducted the assessment and made the recommendation, along with the individual or caregiver, as applicable, the PRS, and the direct supervisor within 30 days of the initiation of services and shall describe how the plan for peer support services and activities will meet the individual's needs. This document shall be updated as the needs and progress of the individual change and shall document the individual's or caregiver's, as applicable, request for any changes in peer support services. The recovery, resiliency, and wellness plan is a component of the individual's overall plan of care and shall be maintained by the enrolled provider in the individual's medical record.

"Resiliency" means the ability to respond to stress, anxiety, trauma, crisis, or disaster.

"Self-advocacy" means an empowerment skill that allows the individual to effectively communicate preferences and choice.

"Strength-based" means to emphasize individual strengths, assets, and resiliencies.

"Supervision" means the ongoing process performed by a direct supervisor who monitors the performance of the PRS and provides regular documented consultation and instruction with respect to the skills and competencies of the PRS.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 3, eff. November 16, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 14, 2021.

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