3705 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROVIDER STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

3705.1 A Mental Health or SUD Supported Employment provider shall have at a minimum:

1. (a) One (1) Supported Employment Supervisor; and
2. (b) One (1) Supported Employment Team comprised of:
3. (1) One (1) Supported Employment Manager; and
4. (2) Two (2) full-time Employment Specialists.

3705.2 In cases where a provider is certified as both a Mental Health Supported Employment provider and an SUD Supported Employment provider:

1. (a) The Supervisor and Manager may be responsible for both Mental Health and SUD Supported Employment services, if appropriately trained in both mental health and SUD (e.g., the Manager is permitted to supervise both SUD Employment Specialists and Mental Health Employment Specialists);
2. (b) Each Employment Specialist shall only provide services to one population (e.g., the Employment Specialist shall only provide Mental Health Supported Employment services, but not SUD Supported Employment Services); and
3. (c) The provider shall maintain compliance with the staffing requirements and staffing ratios set forth in this subsection.

3705.3 Certified Mental Health and SUD Supported Employment providers must obtain Department approval to add Supported Employment Teams or Specialists supported through a Human Care Agreement.

3705.4 The Supported Employment Supervisor shall be responsible for overall monitoring of the Supported Employment program and provide clinical interventions and expertise in response to a Supported Employment consumer's/client's clinical and care coordination needs.

1. (a) The Mental Health Supported Employment Supervisor shall be:
2. (1) A qualified practitioner permitted to screen, assess and diagnose

consumers in accordance with Title 22-A DCMR § 3418.12;

(2) Appropriately licensed in the District of Columbia or the jurisdiction where the services are delivered; and

(3) Practicing within the scope of their license.

(b) The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Supported Employment Supervisor shall be:

(1) A qualified practitioner permitted to screen, assess and diagnose clients in accordance with Title 22-A DCMR § 6339.13;

(2) Appropriately licensed in the District of Columbia or the jurisdiction where the services are delivered; and

(3) Practicing within the scope of their license.

3705.5 One (1) full-time equivalent Supported Employment Manager shall be responsible for no more than ten (10) Supported Employment Specialists, and shall not have other supervisory responsibilities. However, in cases where the Manager supervises fewer than ten (10) Supported Employment Specialists, the Manager may spend their time on other supervisory activities on a prorated basis.

3705.6 A Mental Health or SUD Supported Employment provider shall have one (1) full-time Supported Employment Specialist for every twenty (20) Supported Employment consumers/clients. Supported Employment Specialists shall satisfy all requirements for non-licensed credentialed staff pursuant to 22-A DCMR Chapter 34.

3705.7 A Mental Health or SUD Supported Employment provider shall comply with all applicable staff requirements set forth in 22-A DCMR Chapter 34.

3705.8 Supported Employment Specialists shall carry out all phases of Supported Employment services, including:

(a) Intake;

(b) Vocational Assessment;

(c) IWP Development;

(d) Benefits Counseling;

(e) Disclosure Counseling;

(f) Treatment Team Coordination;

(g) Job Development;

(h) Job Coaching;

(i) Vocational Follow-Along Supports; and

(j) Therapeutic Follow-Along Supports.

3705.9 Supported Employment Supervisors, Managers, and Specialists shall be trained in evidence-based Supported Employment principles and practices. Supported Employment Managers and Specialists shall attend the Department's Supported Employment provider meetings that are held periodically.

SOURCE: Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 10330, 10336 (December 9, 2011); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 10775 (September 4, 2020); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 011733 (September 30, 2022).