No. 41607 (Amendment): Rule R523-5. Adult Peer Support Specialist Training and Certification

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 41607
Filed: 05/08/2017 12:39:00 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule change attempts to combine all types of peer support specialist training and certification requirements into one document.

Summary of the rule or change:

All references to just "Adult" Peer Support Specialists are changed to reflect all types of Peer Support Specialists that are certified by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH); grammatical changes are implemented; a definition of "Youth-In-Transition" is added; curriculum changes remove "Strengthening the peer specialist's recovery", and "assist with physical health and wellness"; "Population Specific Guidelines" is added; and "Curriculum Requirements for Youth-in-Transition Training Programs" is added.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 62A-15-103(h)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This rule change will impact procedures by simply explicitly allowing adult peer support services to be delivered to Youth-In-Transition. This service is already allowable within current funding and will not impact budgets.

local governments:

This rule will add an additional Youth-In-Transition endorsement for adult peer support services specialists that requires an additional eight hours of training above the standard time needed to receive a peer support specialist certification. Though this endorsement is voluntary, those seeking the endorsement who are working for a local authority would need to take 8 hours off from work to attend the training, and may have to pay up to $100 to receive the training. Local governments that reimburse or provide financial support for their employees seeking the endorsement could pay up to 8 hours of the employees' salaries and up to $100 for the training. DSAMH currently has no contracts with training providers that would charge a fee for this training, but there is a potential that this arrangement will not always exist and training fees could be requested.

small businesses:

It is anticipated that no small businesses will participate in the certification or endorsement described in this rule. This rule mostly affects local governments, employees of local governments, businesses contracted with local governments to provided substance use and/or mental health treatment services (none of which are small businesses at this time) and private citizens that are proactively seeking work within the public substance use and mental health treatment field and are covering personal cost to receive the certification and endorsement to place on a resume.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

This rule will add an additional Youth-In-Transition endorsement for adult peer support services specialists that requires an additional eight hours of training above the standard time needed to receive a peer support specialist certification. Though this endorsement is voluntary, those seeking the endorsement as private citizens that are proactively seeking work within the public substance use and mental health treatment field and are covering personal cost to receive the certification and endorsement to place on a resume, would incur the following costs: eight hours of their personal time, and if they are working for an employer who does not reimburse for this training, they would lose eight hours of their weekly salary or eight hours of their PTO or other leave; and may have to pay up to $100 to receive the training. DSAMH currently has no contracts with training providers that would charge a fee for this training, but there is a potential that this arrangement will not always exist and training fees could been requested.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

No compliance costs are associated with this rule change other than those that already exist from initial establishment of the rule. A Youth-In-Transition endorsement is not required to be a peer support specialist with adults.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

This rule may require businesses to lose eight hours of productivity from employees seeking a Youth-In-Transition endorsement. Additionally, businesses that reimburse or provide financial support for their employees seeking the endorsement could pay up to 8 hours of the employees' salaries and up to $100 for the training. DSAMH currently has no contracts with training providers that would charge a fee for this training, but there is a potential that this arrangement will not always exist and training fees could been requested.

Ann Williamson, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office of Administrative Rules, or at:

Human Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
195 N 1950 W
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Julene Robbins at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4521, by FAX at 801-538-3942, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]
• Thomas Dunford at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4181, by FAX at 801-538-4696, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/03/2017

This rule may become effective on:

07/10/2017

Authorized by:

Doug Thomas, Director

RULE TEXT

R523. Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

R523-5. [ Adult ]Peer Support Specialist Training and Certification.

R523-5-1. Purpose, Authority and Intent.

(1) Purpose. This rule prescribes standards for certification of Peer Support Specialist Training programs; the qualifications required of instructors for providing Peer Support Training; and the requirements to become an [Adult ]Peer Support Specialist and establishes guidelines for population specific peer support services.

(2) Statutory Authority. These standards are promulgated by the Utah Department of Human Services through the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, hereinafter referred to as "Division", as authorized by Section [62A-15-402]62A-15-103(h).

(3) Intent. The objective of the peer support specialist training is to establish training programs to certify individuals that have completed requisite training to work as substance use disorder and/or mental health peer support specialists and provide services based on service guidelines.

 

R523-5-2. Definitions.

(1) "[Adult ]Peer Support Specialist (PSS)" is an individual who has successfully completed an approved [Adult ]Peer Support Specialist Training Program and for ongoing certification has met the requirements outlined in paragraph R523-5-6.

(2) "Approved Curriculum" means a curriculum which has been approved by the Division in accordance with these rules.

(3) "Certification" means that the Division verifies the individual has met the requirements outlined in this rule to be a peer support specialist and has completed the required training.

(4) "Director" means the Director of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

(5) "Division" means the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

(6) "Peer Support Specialist Training Program" is an instructional series operated by an approved agency or organization which satisfies the standards established by the Division and is herein referred to as [an "Adult ]a "Peer Support Specialist Training Program".

(7) "Program Certificate" is a written authorization issued by the Division to the training entity which indicates that the Program has been found to be in compliance with these Division standards.

(8) "Recovery" is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

(9) "Youth-In-Transition" means young people who are between the ages of 16 and 25, or those outside of this age range for which peer support services have been deemed developmentally and socially appropriate by a licensed mental health therapist.

 

R523-5-3. Certification Requirements for Peer Support Specialist Training Programs.

(1) An application for Program Certification will require that the program provide, among other things:

(a) Qualifications of individuals who will be providing the training.

(b) A curriculum that outlines no less than forty (40) hours of face-to-face instruction covering the curriculum requirements outlined in paragraph R523-5-5 for a PSS.

(c) A plan to ensure that instructors continue to meet reported qualifications and adhere to the approved curriculum.

(d) An agreement to maintain records of the individual's attendance and completion of all program requirements for at least seven years.

(e) An agreement to comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.

(2) The Division Director has the authority to grant exceptions to any of the certification requirements.

 

R523-5-4. Division Oversight of Program.

(1) The Division may enter and survey the physical facility, program operation, review curriculum and interview staff to determine compliance with this rule or any applicable contract to provide such services.

(2) The PSS Training Program shall also allow representatives from the Division and from the local authorities as authorized by the Division to attend the classes held. Such visits may be announced or unannounced.

(3) The Division will establish an application process to review and approve applicants for the PSS Training Program. This process will:

(a) Develop and publish an application to be a PSS.

(b) Solicit input from stakeholders, [Peer Support Specialists]PSS's and other individuals on the review process.

(c) Establish further criteria for acceptance into the PSS program as needed.

 

R523-5-5. Curriculum Requirements for Adult Peer Support Specialist Training Programs.

(1) This curriculum shall provide at least forty (40) hours of instruction for original certification and twenty (20) hours for any and all re-certifications. The curriculum shall include the following components as they relate to the PSS's lived experience and recovery in order to assist in the identified client's strengths working towards recovery:

(a) Etiology of mental illness and substance use disorders;

(b) The stages of recovery from mental illness and substance use disorders;

(c) The relapse prevention process;

(d) Combating negative self-talk;

(e) The Role of [Peer Support]peer support in the [Recovery Process and Using Your Recovery Story as a Recovery Tool]recovery process and using your recovery story as a recovery tool;

(f) Dynamics of [Change]change;

(g) [Strengthening the Peer Specialist's recovery]Ethics of peer support;

(h) [Ethics of Peer Support]Professional relationships, boundaries and limits;

(i) [Professional relationships, boundaries and limits]Scope of peer support;

(j) [Scope of Peer Support]Cultural competence: self-awareness - cultural identity;

(k) [Cultural Competence: Self-Awareness - Cultural Identity]Stigma and labeling;

(l) [Stigma and Labeling]Community resources to support individuals in recovery;

(m) [Community resources to support individuals in recovery]Assisting individuals in accomplishing recovery goals;

(n) [Assisting individuals in Accomplishing Recovery Goals]Coach, mentor, and role model recovery;

(o) [Coach, Mentor, and Role Model recovery]Assist in identification of natural, formal and informal supports;

(p) [Assist in identification of natural, formal and informal supports]Stress management techniques;

(q) [Stress Management Techniques]Assist individuals in reaching educational and vocational goals;

(r) [Assisting individuals in reaching educational and vocational goals;]Crisis prevention; and

(s) [Crisis prevention; and]Assist with physical health and wellness.

[(t) Assist with physical health and wellness.]

(2) The curriculum [must be strength based and]shall include:

(a) Active listening and communication skills; and

(b) Basic motivational interviewing skills.

(3) The curriculum must include a strong emphasis on ethical behavior, dual relationships, scope of peer support and professional boundaries and should include case studies, role plays and experiential learning.

 

R523-5-6. Requirements to Become [an Adult Peer Support Specialist]a PSS.

(1) Be an individual who participated in substance use disorder or mental health treatment services who is now in sustained recovery, or

(2) Be an individual in recovery from substance use or mental health disorders through means other than treatment services who is now in sustained recovery.

(3) Be at least 18 years of age.

(4) Complete the application process with the Division.

(5) Pass the qualification exam with score of 70% or above.

(6) Have attended and successfully completed a Division approved [Peer Support Specialist]PSS training program and have a valid certificate from that training.

 

R523-5-7. Requirements to Remain Qualified as [an Adult Peer Support Specialist]a PSS.

(1) Complete at least twenty (20) hours of continuing education every two (2) years including two (2) hours of ethics training, six (6) hours pertaining specifically to [Peer Support Services]peer support services, one (1) hour of suicide prevention training and eleven (11) hours of general mental health and/or substance use disorder training.

(2) Each [Adult Peer Support Specialist]PSS shall maintain adequate documentation as proof of compliance with this Section, such as a certificate of completion, school transcript, course description, or other course materials. The [Adult Peer Support Specialist]PSS shall retain this proof for a period of three years after the end of the renewal cycle for which the continuing education is due; and

(a) At a minimum, the documentation shall contain the following:

(i) Date of the course;

(ii) Name of the course provider;

(iii) Name of the instructor;

(iv) Course title;

(v) Number of hours of continuing education credit; and

(vi) Course objectives.

 

R523-5-8. Population Specific Guidelines.

(1) Typically a PSS works with individuals age 18 and older.

(2) A PSS may work with Youth-In-Transition if the PSS has completed Youth-In-Transition training, in addition to any other PSS training, of no less than 8 hours, and receives a Youth-In-Transition endorsement from the Division on their PSS certification.

 

R523-5-9. Curriculum Requirements for Youth-In-Transition Training Programs.

(1) This curriculum shall provide at least eight (8) hours of instruction for the Youth-In-Transition endorsement of PSS certification. The curriculum, which shall be approved by the Division, shall include, but not be limited to, the following components as they relate to Youth-In-Transition:

(a) Meaning of Youth-In-Transition and specific challenges related to this population;

(b) Preferred practice models and tools;

(c) Population specific material regarding: common challenges, barriers, resources, relationship issues, recovery, housing, employment, legal, crisis, cultural and self-care.

(d) Professional relationships, boundaries and limits.

(2) The curriculum must be strength based and shall include:

(a) Active listening and communication skills; and

(b) Basic motivational interviewing skills.

(3) The curriculum shall include a strong emphasis on ethical behavior, dual relationships, scope of peer support and professional boundaries and shall include case studies, role plays and experiential learning specific to Youth-In-Transition.

(4) The Division, PSS, mental health and substance use disorder professionals and advocate organizations shall regularly review and make evidence-based updates to the curriculum at least every two years. Final determination on curriculum changes or updates shall be made by the Division.

 

KEY: peer support specialists, PSS program, certification of programs, substance use disorder

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [October 11, 2016]2017

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 62A-15-402

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