Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Entities applying for a qualified
residential treatment program credential to provide services for youth who have
serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances must meet the
licensing requirements set forth in Section
394.875(2),
F.S., and rule Chapter 65E-9, F.A.C., in addition to the program standards in
this rule.
(2) The entity shall
complete the "Application for Credential as a Qualified Residential Treatment
Program" CF-FSP 5452, Apr 2021, incorporated by reference and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13071.
(3) The entity must provide a copy of their
active state license issued by AHCA.
(4) Background Screening Requirements.
(a) All direct care staff employed by the
entity must obtain the following background screenings:
1. National and statewide criminal records
checks under Chapters 435 and 39, F.S., through fingerprinting every five (5)
years;
2. Juvenile records check
through fingerprinting every five (5) years as applicable;
3. Florida abuse and neglect records checks
through the Department's child abuse registry every 12 months; and
4. Out of state abuse history records check
if the individual resided out of state in the past five years from the time of
the request for a QRTP credential.
(b) Juvenile records checks through the
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice for ages 12 to 17 of children of QRTP
staff who reside in the group home.
(c) Any other adult household member residing
in the group home will be required to meet the background screening
requirements in the same manner as staff of the QRTP.
(5) File Requirements. The QRTP shall obtain
a copy of the child's suitability assessment, as defined in Rule
65C-28.021, F.A.C., and place in
the child's file. QRTPs serving non-dependency youth shall obtain a copy of an
independent assessment confirming the child meets criteria to receive services
in a qualified residential treatment program.
(6) The QRTP shall work in conjunction with
the qualified evaluator conducting all assessments.
(7) Training. All staff must complete
training in trauma-informed care. The QRTP must submit to the regional
licensing authority a staff roster outlining the dates of completion for the
trauma-informed care training.
(8)
Staffing. The QRTP shall have registered or licensed nursing staff and other
licensed clinical staff who are:
(a) On-site
as outlined in the QRTP's trauma informed treatment model;
(b) Available 24-hours a day, seven (7) days
a week for response; and
(c) May be
contracted providers.
(9)
Accreditation. The QRTP must be accredited by any of the following
organizations:
(a) Commission on
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF);
(b) The Joint Commission, formerly known as
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO);
(c) Council on
Accreditation (COA); or
(d) Any
other not-for-profit accrediting agency approved by the Office of Child Welfare
(OCW).
(10) Basic Service
Requirements.
(a) The QRTP shall develop a
policy outlining the programs trauma-informed treatment model that addresses
the clinical needs of children with emotional or behavioral disorders or
disturbances and is able to implement the treatment identified for the child.
The policy shall address the staffing requirements needed to implement the
trauma-informed model.
(b) The QRTP
must provide time-limited, high-quality, supportive services for youth
including, but not limited to:
1. Substance
abuse and mental health screening and treatment, if applicable;
2. Family/group/individual therapy;
3. Behavioral management;
4. Psychiatric services;
5. Support groups;
6. Specialized intervention
services;
7. Social &
rehabilitative services; and
8.
Psycho-educational services.
(c) The QRTP shall facilitate participation
of family members in the child's treatment program including, but not limited
to:
1. Inclusion in family therapy;
2. Outreach to family members, including
siblings;
3. Documenting how family
members are integrated into the treatment process for the child, including
post-discharge; and
4. Documenting
how sibling connections are maintained.
(d) The QRTP shall ensure the emotional
safety and recovery are assessed and precautions are taken in regard to the
safety of other children in the same setting.
(11) The QRTP is responsible for the
development of treatment plans.
(12) Discharge and Aftercare Plan.
(a) The QRTP shall have and use on an ongoing
basis a written procedure on discharge planning and aftercare supports that
specifies the availability of services and the persons responsible for
implementation of the aftercare supports.
(b) The QRTP shall provide discharge planning
and family-based aftercare support for at least six (6) months
post-discharge.
(c) Discharge
planning shall include input from the child, the child's parent or guardian,
foster parents, caregiver, Department, and guardian ad litem, and a copy shall
be provided to the child's welfare professional.
(d) The child's diagnosis shall be considered
during discharge planning and development.
(e) Aftercare support plans shall be
developed at least one month prior to discharge.
(f) Aftercare support shall be developed to
meet the needs of a child with intent for the child to reside in the most
appropriate, least restrictive setting.
(g) Aftercare Support Eligibility for
Dependency Youth. Aftercare support must be offered to all children who have a
suitability assessment and court order recommending placement in a QRTP
setting. Aftercare support is not required for youth who discharge to another
QRTP setting or higher level of care such as a Statewide In-Patient Psychiatric
Program (SIPP).
(h) Aftercare
Supports. The QRTP shall provide the following aftercare supports:
1. Community service coordination for the
youth and their family/caregiver;
2. Ensure all service referrals have been
linked and barriers to access services are eliminated;
3. Provide a minimum of two (2) contacts per
month. While face to face contact is the preferred method for contact with the
youth and family/caregiver, the QRTP may utilize telehealth;
4. Provide written progress reports every 30
calendar days to the youth's child welfare professional.
(i) The QRTP may contract/sub-contract these
or related services to a community provider qualified to provide such
services.
(13) The QRTP
must inform the DCF regional licensing authority within one (1) business day of
any disciplinary actions executed by AHCA.
(14) Entities seeking a QRTP credential or
entities issued a QRTP credential by the regional licensing authority are
subject to requirements outlined in Rules
65C-46.014 and
65C-46.024,
F.A.C.
Rulemaking Authority
409.175(5) FS.
Law Implemented 409.175
FS.
New 5-26-21, Formerly
64C-14.121.
