Part VI. Special Programs
12VAC35-46-1120. Independent living programs.
A. Each independent living program must demonstrate that a structured program using materials and curriculum, approved by the department, is being used to teach independent living skills. The curriculum must include information regarding each of the following areas:
1. Money management and consumer awareness;
2. Food management;
3. Personal appearance;
4. Social skills;
5. Health/sexuality;
6. Housekeeping;
7. Transportation;
8. Educational planning/career planning;
9. Job-seeking skills;
10. Job maintenance skills;
11. Emergency and safety skills;
12. Knowledge of community resources;
13. Interpersonal skills/social relationships;
14. Legal skills;
15. Leisure activities; and
16. Housing.
B. Within 14 days of placement the provider must complete an assessment, including strengths and needs, of the resident's life skills using an independent living assessment tool approved by the department. The assessment must cover the following areas:
1. Money management and consumer awareness;
2. Food management;
3. Personal appearance;
4. Social skills;
5. Health/sexuality;
6. Housekeeping;
7. Transportation;
8. Educational planning/career planning;
9. Job-seeking skills;
10. Job maintenance skills;
11. Emergency and safety skills;
12. Knowledge of community resources;
13. Interpersonal skills/social relationships;
14. Legal skills;
15. Leisure activities; and
16. Housing.
C. The resident's individualized service plan shall, in addition to the requirements found in 12VAC35-105-750, address each of the following areas, as applicable:
1. Money management and consumer awareness;
2. Food management;
3. Personal appearance;
4. Social skills;
5. Health/sexuality;
6. Housekeeping;
7. Transportation;
8. Educational planning/career planning;
9. Job-seeking skills;
10. Job maintenance skills;
11. Emergency and safety skills;
12. Knowledge of community resources;
13. Interpersonal skills/social relationships;
14. Legal skills;
15. Leisure activities; and
16. Housing.
D. Each independent living program shall develop and implement policies and procedures to train all direct care staff within 14 days of employment on the content of the independent living curriculum, the use of the independent living materials, the application of the assessment tool, and the documentation methods used. Documentation of the orientation shall be kept in the employee's staff record.
E. If residents age 18 years or older are to share in the responsibility for their own medication with the provider, the independent living program shall develop and implement written policies and procedures that include:
1. Training for the resident in self administration of medication and recognition of side effects;
2. Method for storage and safekeeping of medication;
3. Method for obtaining approval for the resident to self administer medication from a person authorized by law to prescribe medication; and
4. Method for documenting the administration of medication.
F. Each independent living program shall develop and implement written policies and procedures that ensure that each resident is receiving adequate nutrition as required in 12VAC35-46-860.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-1130. Mother/baby programs.
A. Each provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to orient direct care staff within 14 days of hire regarding the following:
1. Responsibilities of mothers regarding the child;
2. Child development including age-appropriate behavior for each stage of development;
3. Appropriate behavioral interventions for infants and toddlers;
4. Basic infant and toddler care including but not limited to nutritional needs, feeding procedures, bathing techniques; and
5. Safety issues for infants and toddlers.
B. Each direct care worker shall have certification in infant CPR and first aid prior to working alone with infants or toddlers.
C. A placement agreement shall be signed by the legal guardian for each adolescent mother and a separate placement agreement shall be signed for each child at the time of admission.
D. In addition to the requirements of 12VAC35-46-710 the application for admission for the adolescent's child must include:
1. The placement history of the child;
2. The developmental milestones of the child; and
3. The nutritional needs of the child.
E. In addition to the requirements of 12VAC35-46-660, the face sheet for adolescent's child shall also include:
1. Type of delivery;
2. Weight and length at birth;
3. Any medications or allergies; and
4. Name and address, if known, of the biological father.
F. A combined service plan following the requirements of 12VAC35-46-750 must be written for the adolescent mother and her child within 30 days of the admission of the adolescent's child.
G. There shall be a combined documented review of the adolescent mother's and her child's progress following the requirements of the quarterly report 60 days following the first combined service plan and within each 90-day period thereafter.
H. The developmental milestones of the adolescent's child must be documented in each quarterly progress report.
I. The record of each child 18 months or younger shall include the child's feeding schedule and directions for feeding. This information shall be posted in the kitchen.
J. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for tracking:
1. What a child 18 months or younger is eating;
2. How much a child 18 months or younger is eating; and
3. The response to newly introduced foods of the child 18 months or younger.
K. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to record all diaper changes.
L. The provider shall monitor that all infants are held and spoken to and placed in a position to observe activities when they are awake.
M. Bottle-fed infants who cannot hold their own bottles shall be held when fed. Bottles shall not be propped.
N. The provider shall monitor that all children of adolescent mothers have access to age-appropriate toys and are provided opportunity for visual and sound stimulation.
O. The provider shall ensure that when an adolescent mother is in school or is working, her child is appropriately cared for, either in a licensed child day program or at the facility.
P. A daily activity log must be kept for each child of the adolescent mother showing what activities the child actually participated in during the day. The daily log must show that children have the opportunity to participate in sensory, language, manipulative, building, large muscle, and learning activities.
Q. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures regarding health care of the adolescent's child including:
1. Obtaining health care;
2. Ensuring follow-up care is provided;
3. Ensuring adolescent mothers administer to their children only prescription and nonprescription medication authorized by a health care professional licensed to prescribe medication; and
4. Medication administration.
R. The provider shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to ensure that all toys and equipment to be used by children are sturdy, are of safe construction, are nontoxic and free of hazards, and meet industry safety standards.
S. The facility shall develop and implement written policies and procedures for inspecting toys and equipment on a regular basis for cleanliness and safety.
T. Cribs shall be placed where objects outside the crib such as cords from the blinds or curtains are not within reach of infants or toddlers.
U. Pillows and filled comforters shall not be used by children under two years of age.
V. Infant walkers shall not be used.
W. Adolescent mothers and their babies may share a bedroom as allowed by 12VAC35-46-480, but shall not share a room with other adolescents or their children.
X. Pregnant adolescents may share a room as allowed by 12VAC35-46-480.
Y. Providers shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to protect infants, toddlers, and young children from dangers in their environment. The policies and procedures must include but not be limited to protection from:
1. Electrocution;
2. Falling down steps or ramps or gaining access to balconies, porches, or elevated areas; and
3. Poisons, including poisonous plants.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-1140. Campsite programs or adventure activities.
A. All wilderness campsite programs and providers that take residents on wilderness/adventure activities shall develop and implement policies and procedures that include:
1. Staff training and experience requirements for each activity;
2. Resident training and experience requirements for each activity;
3. Specific staff-to-resident ratio and supervision plan appropriate for each activity; including sleeping arrangements and supervision during night time hours;
4. Plans to evaluate and document each participant's physical health throughout the activity;
5. Preparation and planning needed for each activity and time frames;
6. Arrangement, maintenance, and inspection of activity areas;
7. A plan to ensure that any equipment and gear that is to be used in connection with a specified wilderness/adventure activity is appropriate to the activity, certified if required, in good repair, in operable condition, and age and body size appropriate;
8. Plans to ensure that all ropes and paraphernalia used in connection with rope rock climbing, rappelling, high and low ropes courses, or other adventure activities in which ropes are used are approved annually by an appropriate certifying organization, and have been inspected by staff responsible for supervising the adventure activity before engaging residents in the activity;
9. Plans to ensure that all participants are appropriately equipped, clothed, and wearing safety gear, such as a helmet, goggles, safety belt, life jacket, or a flotation device, that is appropriate to the adventure activity in which the resident is engaged;
10. Plans for food and water supplies and management of these resources;
11. Plans for the safekeeping and distribution of medication;
12. Guidelines to ensure that participation is conducted within the boundaries of the resident's capabilities, dignity, and respect for self-determination;
13. Overall emergency, safety, and communication plans for each activity including rescue procedures, frequency of drills, resident accountability, prompt evacuation, and notification of outside emergency services; and
14. Review of trip plans by the trip coordinator.
B. All wilderness campsite programs and providers that take residents on wilderness/adventure activities must designate one staff person to be the trip coordinator who will be responsible for all facility wilderness or adventure trips.
1. This person shall have experience in and knowledge regarding wilderness activities and be trained in wilderness first aid. The individual shall also have at least one year experience at the facility and be familiar with the facility procedures, staff, and residents.
2. Documentation regarding this knowledge and experience shall be found in the individual's staff record.
3. The trip coordinator shall review all trip plans and procedures and shall ensure that staff and residents meet the requirements as outlined in the facility's policy regarding each wilderness/adventure activity to take place during the trip.
C. The trip coordinator shall conduct a posttrip debriefing within 72 hours of the group's return to base to evaluate individual and group goals as well as the trip as a whole.
D. The trip coordinator shall be responsible for writing a summary of the debriefing session and shall be responsible for ensuring that procedures and policies are updated to reflect improvements needed.
E. A trip folder shall be developed for each wilderness/adventure activity conducted away from the facility and shall include:
1. Medical release forms including pertinent medical information on the trip participants;
2. Phone numbers for administrative staff and emergency personnel;
3. Daily trip logs;
4. Incident reports;
5. Swimming proficiency list if trip is near water;
6. Daily logs;
7. Maps of area covered by the trip; and
8. Daily plans.
F. Initial physical forms used by wilderness campsite programs and providers that take residents on wilderness or adventure activities shall include:
1. A statement notifying the doctor of the types of activities the resident will be participating in; and
2. A statement signed by the doctor stating the individual's health does not prevent him from participating in the described activities.
G. First aid kits used by wilderness campsite programs and providers that take residents on adventure activities shall be activity appropriate and shall be accessible at all times.
H. Direct care workers hired by wilderness campsite programs and providers that take residents on wilderness/adventure activities shall be trained in a wilderness first aid course.
I. The provider shall ensure that before engaging in any aquatic activity, each resident shall be classified by the trip coordinator or designee according to swimming ability in one of two classifications: swimmer and nonswimmer. This shall be documented in the resident's record and in the trip folder.
J. The provider shall ensure that lifesaving equipment is provided for all aquatic activities and is placed so that it is immediately available in case of an emergency. At a minimum, the equipment shall include:
1. A whistle or other audible signal device; and
2. A lifesaving throwing device.
K. A separate bed, bunk, or cot shall be made available for each person.
L. A mattress cover shall be provided for each mattress.
M. Sleeping areas shall be protected by screening or other means to prevent admittance of flies and mosquitoes.
N. Bedding shall be clean, dry, sanitary, and in good repair.
O. Bedding shall be adequate to ensure protection and comfort in cold weather.
P. Sleeping bags, if used, shall be fiberfill and rated for 0°F.
Q. Linens shall be changed as often as required for cleanliness and sanitation but not less frequently than once a week.
R. Each resident shall be provided with an adequate supply of clean clothing that is suitable for outdoor living and is appropriate to the geographic location and season.
S. Sturdy, water-resistant, outdoor footwear shall be provided for each resident.
T. Each resident shall have adequate personal storage area.
U. Fire extinguishers of a 2A 10BC rating shall be maintained so that it is never necessary to travel more than 75 feet to a fire extinguisher from combustion-type heating devices, campfires, or other source of combustion.
V. Artificial lighting shall be provided in a safe manner.
W. All areas of the campsite shall be lighted for safety when occupied by residents.
X. Staff of the same sex may share a sleeping area with the residents.
Y. A telephone or other means of communication is required at each area where residents sleep or participate in programs.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. August 6, 2009.
12VAC35-46-1150. (Reserved).
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1160. Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential services Level of care 3.5 staff criteria.
A clinically managed, medium-intensity residential care program shall meet the following staff requirements. The program shall:
1. Ensure the availability of emergency consultation with a licensed physician by telephone or in person in case of emergency related to an individual's substance use disorder, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The program shall also provide allied health professional staff 24 hours a day;
2. Provide licensed clinicians who are able to obtain and interpret information regarding the signs and symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal, as well as the appropriate monitoring and treatment of those conditions and how to facilitate entry into ongoing care;
3. Provide appropriately trained staff who are competent to implement physician-approved protocols for the child's or adolescent's observation, supervision, and treatment, including over the counter medications for symptomatic relief, determination for the appropriate level of care, and facilitation of the child's or adolescent's transition to continuing care;
4. Provide staff training that shall include at a minimum the requirements within 12VAC35-46-310, and all staff administering over the counter medications shall complete the training program approved by the Board of Nursing and required by subsection L of § 54.1-3408 of the Code of Virginia;
5. Provide access, as needed, to medical evaluation and consultation, which shall be available 24 hours a day to monitor the safety and outcome of withdrawal management in this setting, in accordance with the provider's written criteria for admission and discharge as required by 12VAC35-46-640 and 12VAC35-46-765; and
6. Ensure all clinical staff are qualified by training and experience and appropriately licensed, certified, or registered by the appropriate health regulatory board to serve individuals admitted to the service.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1170. Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential services Level of care 3.5 program criteria.
A clinically managed, medium-intensity residential care program shall meet the following programmatic requirements. The program shall:
1. Provide daily clinical services, including a range of cognitive, behavioral, and other therapies in individual or group therapy, programming, and psychoeducation as deemed appropriate by a licensed professional and included in an assessment and treatment plan;
2. Provide counseling and clinical interventions to teach a child or adolescent the skills needed for daily productive activity, prosocial behavior, and reintegration into family and community;
3. Provide motivational enhancement and engagement strategies appropriate to the child's or adolescent's stage of readiness to change and level of comprehension;
4. Have direct affiliations with other easily accessible levels of care or coordinate through referral to more or less intensive levels of care and other services;
5. Provide family and caregiver treatment services as deemed appropriate by a licensed professional and included in an assessment and treatment plan;
6. Provide educational, vocational, and informational programming adaptive to individual needs;
7. Utilize random drug screening to monitor progress and reinforce treatment gains as appropriate to an individual treatment plan;
8. Ensure and document that the length of stay is determined by the child's or adolescent's condition and functioning;
9. Make medication assisted treatment (MAT) available for all individuals with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder. MAT may be provided by facility staff or coordinated through alternative resources;
10. Provide educational services in accordance with state law to maintain the educational and intellectual development of the child or adolescent while they are admitted to the service. When indicated, additional educational opportunities shall be provided to remedy deficits in the educational level of children or adolescents who have fallen behind because of their involvement with alcohol and other drugs;
11. Ensure that all children and adolescents served by the residential service have access to the substance use treatment program; and
12. Provide daily clinical services to assess and address the child's or adolescent's withdrawal status and service needs. This may include nursing or medical monitoring, use of medications to alleviate symptoms, or individual or group therapy or programming specific to withdrawal and withdrawal support.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1180. Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential services Level of care 3.5 admission criteria.
A. A clinically managed, medium-intensity residential care program provides treatment for children who have impaired functioning across a broad range of psychosocial domains, including disruptive behaviors, delinquency and juvenile justice involvement, educational difficulties, family conflicts and chaotic home situations, developmental immaturity, and psychological problems.
B. Before a clinically managed, medium-intensity residential service program may admit a child or adolescent, the child or adolescent shall meet the criteria for admission as defined by the provider's policies. The provider's policy regarding admission shall at a minimum require the child or adolescent to:
1. Meet diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder or addictive disorder of moderate to high severity as defined by the DSM; and
2. Meet the admission criteria of Level 3.5 of ASAM, including the specific criteria for adolescent populations.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1190. Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential services Level of care 3.5 discharge criteria.
Before a clinically managed, medium-intensity residential service program may discharge or transfer a child or adolescent, the child or adolescent shall meet the criteria for discharge or transfer as defined by the provider's policies, which shall include provisions for the discharge or transfer of children or adolescents who have:
1. Achieved the goals of the treatment services and no longer require ASAM 3.5 level of care;
2. Been unable to achieve the goals of the child's or adolescent's treatment but could achieve the child's or adolescent's goals with a different type of treatment; or
3. Achieved the child's or adolescent's original treatment goals but have developed new treatment challenges that can only be adequately addressed in a different type of treatment.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1200. Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential services Level of care 3.5 co-occurring enhanced programs.
A. Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential services co-occurring enhanced programs shall offer psychiatric services, medication evaluation, and laboratory services. Such services shall be available by telephone within eight hours and onsite or closely coordinated offsite within 24 hours.
B. Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential services co-occurring enhanced programs shall be staffed by appropriately credentialed mental health professionals, including addiction psychiatrists, who are able to assess and treat co-occurring mental disorders and who have specialized training in behavior management techniques. All clinical staff shall be qualified by training and experience and appropriately licensed, certified, or registered by the appropriate health regulatory board to serve individuals admitted to the service.
C. Clinically managed, medium-intensity residential services co-occurring enhanced programs shall offer planned clinical activities designed to stabilize the child's or adolescent's mental health problems and psychiatric symptoms and to maintain such stabilization, including medication education and management and motivational and engagement strategies. Goals of therapy shall apply to both the substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental disorder.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1210. Clinically managed, low-intensity residential services Level of care 3.1 staff criteria.
A clinically managed, low-intensity residential services program shall meet the following staff requirements. The program shall:
1. Offer telephone or in-person consultation with a physician and emergency services, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by the clinically managed, low-intensity residential services provider. The program shall also provide allied health professional staff present onsite 24 hours a day;
2. Have clinical staff, with the credentials described in subdivision 3 of this section, who are knowledgeable about the biological and psychosocial dimensions of substance use disorder and their treatment and are able to identify the signs and symptoms of acute psychiatric conditions;
3. Have a team comprised of appropriately trained and credentialed medical, addiction, and mental health professionals;
4. Have staff that shall be knowledgeable about child or adolescent development and experienced in engaging and working with children or adolescents; and
5. Ensure all clinical staff are qualified by training and experience and appropriately licensed, certified, or registered by the appropriate health regulatory board to serve individuals admitted to the service.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1220. Clinically managed, low-intensity residential services Level of care 3.1 program criteria.
A clinically managed, low-intensity residential services program shall meet the following programmatic requirements. The program shall:
1. Offer a minimum of five hours a week of planned clinical program activities that are professionally directed, in addition to other treatment services offered to children or adolescents[]. Services shall be designed to stabilize the child's or adolescent's substance use disorder, improve the child's or adolescent's ability to structure, and organize the tasks of daily living and recovery;
2. Collaborate with care providers to develop an individual treatment plan for each child or adolescent with time-specific goals and objectives;
3. Provide counseling and clinical monitoring to support successful initial involvement in regular, productive daily activity;
4. Provide case management services;
5. Provide motivational interventions appropriate to the child's or adolescent's stage of readiness to change and level of comprehension;
6. Maintain direct affiliations with other easily accessible levels of care or coordinate through referral to more or less intensive levels of care and other services. Include the ability to arrange for needed procedures as appropriate to the severity and urgency of the child's or adolescent's condition;
7. Provide family and caregiver treatment and peer recovery support services as deemed appropriate by a licensed professional and included in an assessment and treatment plan;
8. Provide addiction pharmacotherapy and the ability to arrange for pharmacotherapy for psychiatric medications;
9. Utilize random drug screening to monitor progress and reinforce treatment gains;
10. Ensure that all children and adolescents served by the residential service have access to the substance use treatment program; and
11. Make MAT available for all children or adolescents with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder. MAT may be provided by facility staff or coordinated through alternative resources.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1230. Clinically managed, low-intensity residential services Level of care 3.1 admission criteria.
Before a clinically managed, low-intensity residential service program may admit a child or adolescent, the child or adolescent shall meet the criteria for admission as defined by the provider's policies. The provider's policy regarding admission shall at a minimum require the child or adolescent to:
1. Meet diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder or addictive disorder of moderate to high severity as defined by the DSM; and
2. Meet the admission criteria of Level 3.1 of ASAM, including the specific criteria of adolescent populations.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1240. Clinically managed, low-intensity residential services Level of care 3.1 discharge criteria.
Before a clinically managed, low-intensity residential service program may discharge or transfer a child or adolescent, the child or adolescent shall meet the criteria for discharge or transfer as defined by the provider's policies, which shall include provisions for the discharge or transfer of children or adolescents who have:
1. Achieved the goals of the treatment services and no longer require ASAM 3.1 level of care;
2. Been unable to achieve the goals of the child's or adolescent's treatment but could achieve the child's or adolescent's goals with a different type of treatment; or
3. Achieved the child's or adolescent's original treatment goals but have developed new treatment challenges that can only be adequately addressed in a different type of treatment.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1250. Clinically managed, low-intensity residential services Level of care 3.1 co-occurring enhanced programs.
A. Clinically managed, low-intensity residential services co-occurring enhanced programs shall offer appropriate psychiatric services, including medication evaluation and laboratory services. Such services shall be provided onsite or closely coordinated offsite, as appropriate to the severity and urgency of the child's or adolescent's mental condition.
B. Clinically managed, low-intensity residential services co-occurring enhanced programs shall be staffed by appropriately credentialed mental health professionals who are able to assess and treat co-occurring disorders with the capacity to involve addiction-trained psychiatrists.
C. Clinically managed, low-intensity residential services co-occurring enhanced programs shall offer planned clinical activities that are designed to stabilize the child's or adolescent's mental health problems and psychiatric symptoms and to maintain such stabilization, including medication education and management and motivational and engagement strategies. Goals of therapy shall apply to both the substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental disorder.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-302 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 11, eff. February 17, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1260. Qualified residential treatment programs.
A. A qualified residential treatment program (QRTP) shall have a trauma-informed treatment model that is designed to address the needs, including clinical needs as appropriate, of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances and, with respect to a child, is able to implement the treatment identified for the child.
B. In addition to the staffing requirements within Part II (12VAC35-46-170 et seq.) through Part VI (12VAC35-46-1120 et seq.) of this chapter, a QRTP shall have registered or licensed nursing staff and other licensed clinical staff who:
1. Provide care within the scope of their practice as defined by state law;
2. Are on-site according to the treatment model referred to in subsection A of this section; and
3. Are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
The QRTP is not required to acquire nursing or other clinical staff solely through means of a direct employer to employee relationship.
C. To the extent appropriate and in accordance with the child's best interests, the QRTP shall facilitate participation of family members in the child's treatment program.
D. The QRTP shall facilitate outreach to the family members of the child, including siblings, document how the outreach is made, including contact information, and maintain contact information for any known biological family and fictive kin of the child. Documentation of outreach to family members and contact information of family members shall be placed within the child's record at the QRTP.
E. The QRTP shall document how family members are integrated into the treatment process for the child, including after discharge, and how sibling connections are maintained. Documentation of family member integration shall be placed within the child's record at the QRTP.
F. The QRTP shall provide or ensure discharge planning and family-based aftercare support for at least six months following discharge.
G. The QRTP shall be licensed in accordance with 42 USC § 471(a)(10) and accredited by any of the following independent nonprofit organizations:
1. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF);
2. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO);
3. The Council on Accreditation (COA); or
4. Any other independent, nonprofit accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 6, eff. December 7, 2023.
12VAC35-46-1270. Additional requirements for QRTP placements for children within the custody of local social service boards.
A. The qualified residential treatment program (QRTP) shall coordinate with the local departments of social services, the child's biological family members, relative and fictive kin of the child, and, as appropriate, professionals who are a resource to the family of the child, such as teachers, clergy, or medical or mental health providers who have treated the child.
B. All documents related to a child's need for placement shall be placed within the child's record at the qualified residential treatment program, including the assessment determination of the qualified individual, as defined in 42 USC § 675a(c)(1)(D)(i), and the written documentation of the approval or disapproval of the placement in a qualified residential treatment program by a court or administrative body.
C. This section shall not apply to direct parental placements of children into the QRTP that are made outside of the social services system.
Statutory Authority
§§ 37.2-203 and 37.2-408 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 6, eff. December 7, 2023.