1906.1 The basic requirements for all employees and volunteers providing direct services, with the exception of peer support employees as set forth in subsection 1906.3, are as follows:

(a) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(b) Obtain annual documentation from a physician or other health professional that he or she is free from tuberculosis;

(c) Possess a high school diploma, Certificate of Individual Educational Program (IEP) Completion, general educational development (GED) certificate, or, if the person was educated in a foreign country, its equivalent;

(d) Possess an active CPR and First Aid certificate and ensure that the CPR and First Aid certifications are renewed every two (2) years, with CPR certification and renewal via an in-person class;

(e) Complete pre-service and in-service training as described in DDS policy;

(f) Have the ability to communicate with the person to whom services are provided;

(g) Be able to read, write, and speak the English language, with reasonable accommodation as appropriate in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;

(h) Participate in competency based training needed to address the unique support needs of the person, as detailed in his or her ISP; and

(i) Have proof of compliance with the Health-Care Facility Unlicensed Personnel Criminal Background Check Act of 1998, effective April 20, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-238; D.C. Official Code §§ 44-551 et seq.); as amended by the Health-Care Facility Unlicensed Personnel Criminal Background Check Amendment Act of 2002, effective April 13, 2002 (D.C. Law 14-98; D.C. Official Code §§ 44-551 et seq.) for the following employees or contract workers:

(1) Individuals who are unlicensed under Chapter 12, Health Occupations Board, of Title 3 of the D.C. Official Code, who assist licensed health professionals in providing direct patient care or common nursing tasks;

(2) Nurse aides, orderlies, assistant technicians, attendants,

home health aides, personal care aides, medication aides, geriatric aides, or other health aides; and

(3) Housekeeping, maintenance, and administrative staff who may foreseeably come in direct contact with Waiver recipients or patients.

(j) Be acceptable to the person for whom they are providing supports.

1906.2 Volunteers who work under the direct supervision of an individual licensed pursuant to Chapter 12 of Title 3 of the D.C. Official Code shall be exempt from the unlicensed personnel criminal background check requirement set forth in § 1906.1(i).

1906.3 The basic requirements for peer support employees providing direct services in Parenting Supports and Family Training services are as follows:

(a) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(b) Comply with the requirements of the Health Care Facility Unlicensed Personnel Criminal Background Check Act of 1998, effective April 20, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-238; D.C. Official Code §§ 44-551 et seq.); as amended by the Health-Care Facility Unlicensed Personnel Criminal Background Check Amendment Act of 2002, effective April 13, 2002 (D.C. Law 14-98; D.C. Official Code §§ 44-551 et seq.);

(c) Complete DDS required training for peer support employees;

(d) Be acceptable to the person for whom they are providing supports; and

(e) The person is a person with a disability or the family or other unpaid caregiver of a person with a disability and has experience with at least two of the following:

(1) Advocating on behalf of people with disabilities;

(2) Being trained in advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities by an advocacy organization;

(3) Being trained and certified in peer counseling by a certified peer counseling organization;

(4) Being knowledgeable about the scope of services provided by DDS/DDA and the Child and Family Services Agency;

(5) Possessing skills in Engagement, Relationship Building, and Collaboration with Families and Caregivers; and/or

(6) Being knowledgeable about Community Systems, Partnerships and Resources

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 10207 (November 5, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 4406 (May 2, 2014); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DR 10445 (August 12, 2016); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 2190 (March 2, 2018).