Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 48 - PUBLIC HEALTH-GENERAL
Part I - General Administration
Subpart 3 - Licensing and Certification
Chapter 50 - Home and Community-Based Services Providers Licensing Standards
Subchapter K - Substitute Family Care Module
Section I-5089 - General Provisions

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code I-5089

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. Providers applying for the Substitute Family Care module under the HCBS license shall meet the core licensing requirements as well as the module specific requirements of this Section. In addition to complying with the appropriate licensing regulations, SFC providers shall also establish:

1. an advisory committee comprised of persons with developmental disabilities and their families to provide guidance on the aspirations of persons with developmental disabilities who live in home and community settings;

2. a medical decision-making committee for each SFC client who is unable to give informed consent for surgical or medical treatment which shall fulfill the requirements for executing medical decision-making for those clients as required by R.S. 40.1299.53 or its successor statute.

B. Substitute family care services are delivered by a principal caregiver, in the caregivers home, under the oversight and management of a licensed SFC provider.

1. The SFC caregiver is responsible for providing the client with a supportive family atmosphere in which the availability, quality and continuity of services are appropriate to the age, capabilities, health conditions and special needs of the individual.

2. The licensed SFC provider shall not be allowed to serve as the SFC caregiver.

C. Potential client's of the SFC program shall meet the following criteria:

1. have a developmental disability as defined in R.S. 28:451.1-455.2 of the Louisiana Developmental Disability Law or its successor statute;

2. be at least 18 years of age;
a. Repealed.

3. have an assessment and service plan pursuant to the requirements of the HCBS provider licensing rule.
a. The assessment and service plan shall assure that the individuals health, safety and welfare needs can be met in the SFC setting.

4. - 4.a. Repealed

D. SFC Caregiver Qualifications

1. An SFC caregiver shall be certified by the SFC provider before any client's are served. In order to be certified, the SFC caregiver applicant shall:
a. undergo a professional home study conducted by the provider;

b. participate in all required orientations, trainings, monitoring and corrective actions required by the SFC provider; and

c. meet all of the caregiver specific requirements of this Section.

2. The personal qualifications required for certification include:
a. residency. The caregiver shall reside in the state of Louisiana and shall provide SFC services in the caregivers home. The caregivers home shall be located in the state of Louisiana and in the region in which the SFC provider is licensed;

b. criminal record and background clearance. Members of the SFC caregivers household shall not have any felony convictions. Other persons approved to provide care or supervision of the SFC client for the SFC caregiver shall not have any felony convictions:
i. prior to certification, the SFC caregiver, all members of the SFC caregiver applicants household and persons approved to provide care or supervision of the SFC client on a regular or intermittent basis, shall undergo a statewide criminal record background check conducted by the Louisiana State Police, or its authorized agent;

ii. annually thereafter, the SFC caregiver, all members of the SFC caregiver applicants household and persons approved to provide care or supervision of the SFC client on a regular or intermittent basis, shall have criminal record background checks;

c. age. The SFC principal caregiver shall be at least 21 years of age. Maximum age of the SFC principal caregiver shall be relevant only as it affects his/her ability to provide for the SFC client as determined by the SFC provider through the home assessment. The record shall contain proof of age.

3. The SFC caregiver may be either single or married. Evidence of marital status shall be filed in the SFC provider's records and shall include a copy of legal documents adequate to verify marital status.

4. The SFC caregiver is not prohibited from employment outside the home or from conducting a business in the home provided that:
a. the SFC home shall not be licensed as another healthcare provider;

b. such employment or business activities do not interfere with the care of the client;

c. such employment or business activities do not interfere with the responsibilities of the SFC caregiver to the client;

d. a pre-approved, written plan for supervision of the participant which identifies adequate supervision for the participant is in place; and

e. the plan for supervision is signed by both the SFC caregiver and the administrator or designee of the SFC provider.

E. The SFC caregiver shall not be certified as a foster care parent(s) for the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) while serving as a caregiver for a licensed SFC provider.

1. The SFC provider, administrator or designee shall request confirmation from DCFS that the SFC caregiver applicant is not presently participating as a foster care parent and document this communication in the SFC provider's case record.

2. - 3.a. Repealed.

F. In addition to the discharge criteria in the core requirements, the client shall be discharged from the SFC program upon the client meeting any of the following criteria:

1. incarceration or placement under the jurisdiction of penal authorities or courts for more than 30 day's;
a. - c. Repealed.

2. lives in or changes his/her residence to another region in Louisiana or another state;
a. - c. Repealed.

3. admission to an acute care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities (ICF/ID) or nursing facility with the intent to stay longer than 90 consecutive day's;

4. the client and/or his legally responsible party(s) fails to cooperate in the development or continuation of the service planning process or service delivery;
a. - e. Repealed.

5. a determination is made that the client's health and safety cannot be assured in the SFC setting; or

6. failure to participate in SFC services for 30 consecutive day's for any reason other than admission to an acute care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, ICF/ID facility or nursing facility.

G. Repealed.

H. Repealed.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2120.1.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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