<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 10.09.48.05" title_num="10" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="48" heading="Conditions for Participation — Staff Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Staff Capability Requirements. The provider shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Employ only personnel who are appropriately qualified as set forth in this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Maintain sufficient staff required to meet the needs of the participants whom the provider serves;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Have administrative and supervisory staff to ensure the quality of coordination of community services provided by the provider;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Have a management capability team, each member of which has at least 3 years of experience providing coordination of community services or management experience in human services; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Maintain personnel files for each employee which includes documentation of staff qualifications as set forth in this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Staff Training Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>All DDA-certified coordination of community services providers shall ensure through appropriate documentation that coordination of community services staff, supervisors, and quality assurance staff receive training, as required by DDA.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All coordination of community services staff shall receive training on procedures, protocols, processes, and regulations as required by the DDA.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Coordination of community services staff shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Receive required training as specified in COMAR 10.22, unless otherwise directed by the DDA, which shall be documented and made available upon request;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Comply with all State and federal statutes, regulations, and policies; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Demonstrate competency-based skills and working knowledge in the following areas:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Negotiation and conflict management;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Crisis management;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Community resources including generic programs, local programs, State programs, and federal programs and resources;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Determining the most integrated setting appropriate to meet the participant’s needs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Coordinating and facilitating planning meetings;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Assessing, planning, and coordinating services;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Assisting participants in gaining access to services and supports;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Monitoring the provision of services to participants;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Allied service delivery systems, including Medicaid, mental health, substance abuse, social services, juvenile justice, vocational rehabilitation, and corrections; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Regulations governing services for participants with developmental disabilities.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Coordination of Community Services Supervisor. The coordination of community services supervisor shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as stated in §F of this regulation, meet one or more of the following education requirements:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An advanced degree from an accredited education program in human services and 1 year of experience as set forth in §C of this regulation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A bachelor’s degree from an accredited education program in human services with 3 years experience as set forth in §C of this regulation;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Demonstrate experience in one or more of the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Coordinating services for participants in Medicaid or waiver programs; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Coordinating services for participants with intellectual or developmental disabilities;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Demonstrate experience in all of the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Social services intake and referral services;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Data collection, analysis, and reporting;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Staff supervision; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Management or leadership;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Supervise the work of coordinators of community services; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Monitor the quality of services.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Coordinator of Community Services. The coordinator of community services shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as stated in §F of this regulation, have:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A bachelor’s degree from an accredited education program in a human services field;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An associate’s degree with 2 years’ experience in a human services field; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>7 years’ experience in a human services field;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Use all communication methodologies, strategies, devices, and techniques necessary, including sign language, assistive technology, or language interpreter services, to facilitate the involvement of the participant in the assessment, development, and monitoring of services and supports;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Ensure that each participant receives a person-centered plan that is designed to meet the individual’s needs in the most cost-effective manner; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Annually advise participants of their right to choose among qualified providers of services including coordination of community services.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Education and Experience Waiver.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Coordination of Community Services Supervisor. Education and experience requirements may be waived if an individual has been employed as a coordination of community services supervisor for at least 1 year as of January 1, 2014.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Coordinator of Community Services. Education and experience requirements may be waived if an individual has been employed as a coordinator of community services for at least 1 year as of January 1, 2014.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>An individual is ineligible for employment by a coordination of community services provider, agency, or entity in Maryland if the individual:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Is simultaneously employed by any MDH-licensed or MDH-certified provider agency;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Is on the Maryland Medicaid exclusion list;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Is on the federal List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Is on the federal list of excluded parties as maintained by the System of Award Management (SAM.GOV);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Has been convicted of a crime of violence in violation of Criminal Law Article, §14-101, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Violates or has violated Health-General Article, §7-1102, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Has been found guilty or been given Probation Before Judgment for a crime which would indicate behavior potentially harmful to individuals receiving services, as documented either through a criminal history records check or a criminal background check, pursuant to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Health-General Article, §19-1902, et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>COMAR 12.15.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>