# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 09 — Medical Care Programs

### Chapter 89 — 1915(i) Intensive Behavioral Health Services for Children, Youth, and Families

#### Regulation .09 Covered Services — Family Peer Support Services.

*COMAR 10.09.89.09*

Family peer support services:

A. May be provided without the presence of the participant;

B. Are delivered by a family peer support partner employed by a family support organization (FSO);

C. May include, but are not limited to:

  (1) Explaining the role and function of the FSO to newly enrolled families and creating linkages to other peers and supports in the community;

  (2) Working with the participant and family to identify and articulate concerns, needs, and vision for the future of the participant;

  (3) Ensuring family and participant opinions and perspectives are incorporated into the CFT process and POC:

    (a) Through communication with the care coordinator and team members; and

    (b) By attending CFT meetings with the family to support family decision-making and choice of options;

  (4) Listening to the family express needs and concerns and offering suggestions for engagement in the treatment process;

  (5) Helping the family identify and engage its own natural support system and facilitating the family attending peer support groups and other FSO activities throughout the POC process;

  (6) Working with the family:

    (a) To organize and prepare for meetings in order to maximize participation in meetings;

    (b) By informing the family about options and possible outcomes in selecting services and supports to assist with informed decision-making; and

    (c) By supporting the family in meetings at school and other locations in the community and during court hearings;

  (7) Empowering the family to make choices to achieve desired outcomes for the participant as well as the entire family; and

  (8) Helping the family to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to attain greater self-sufficiency and maximum autonomy and assisting the family to develop the skills and confidence to independently identify, seek out and access resources that will assist in:

    (a) Managing and mitigating the participant's behavioral health condition or conditions;

    (b) Preventing the development of secondary or other chronic conditions;

    (c) Promoting optimal physical and behavioral health; and

    (d) Addressing and encouraging activities related to health and wellness.

D. Are provided by a family support organization (FSO) that:

  (1) Is designated as a private, nonprofit entity designated under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, and submits copies of the certificate of incorporation and Internal Revenue Service designation;

  (2) Has a board of directors comprised of more than 50 percent of individuals who are:

    (a) Caregivers with a current or previous primary daily responsibility for raising a child or youth with behavioral health challenges,

    (b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; or

    (c) Both §D(2)(a) and (b) of this regulation.

  (3) Submits a list of board members with identification of those who are caregivers meeting the criteria in §D(2)(b) of this regulation;

  (4) Establishes hiring practices that give preference to:

    (a) Current or previous caregivers of a child or youth with behavioral health challenges;

    (b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; or

    (c) Both §D(4)(a) and (b) of this regulation;

  (5) Submits a copy of the organization's personnel policy that sets forth the preferred employment criteria stated in §D(4) of this regulation;

  (6) Employs a staff that is comprised of at least 75 percent of individuals who are:

    (a) Current or previous caregivers of a child or youth with behavioral health challenges; or

    (b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges;

  (7) Submits a list of staff and positions held with identification of those who fit the experienced caregiver and consumer criteria stated in §D(6) of this regulation; and

  (8) Submits a certificate of eligibility that includes:

    (a) Attestation of compliance with §D(1)—(6) of this regulation; and

    (b) The organization’s mission statement that establishes the purpose of the organization as providing support and education to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges and their caregivers; and

E. Shall be provided by family peer support partners who:

  (1) Are employed by an FSO;

  (2) Are 18 years old or older;

  (3) Receive supervision from an individual who:

    (a) Is 21 years old or older; and

    (b) Has at least 3 years of experience providing family peer-to-peer support or working with children with serious behavioral health challenges and their families;

  (4) Have current or prior experience as a caregiver of a child with behavioral health challenges or be an individual who has experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; and

  (5) Receive training and certification as approved by the Department.