Authority: IC 12-8-6.5-5; IC 12-15

Affected: IC 12-13-7-3; IC 12-29; IC 25-23.6-10.5; IC 25-27.5-5

Sec. 19. (a) Training and support for unpaid caregivers is a service for an individual who is providing unpaid support, training, companionship, or supervision for a member.

(b) The intent of this service is to provide education and supports to assist the caregiver in preserving the member's family unit.

(c) Training and support activities must be:

1. (1) based on the unique needs of the family and caregiver; and
2. (2) identified in the plan of care.

(d) The providers of training and support activities must be identified in the plan of care.

(e) Allowed training and support activities for a caregiver may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. (1) Practical living and decision making skills.
2. (2) Child development and parenting skills.
3. (3) Home management skills.
4. (4) Use of community resources and development of informal supports.
5. (5) Conflict resolution skills.
6. (6) Coping skills.
7. (7) Assistance in increasing understanding of a member's mental health needs.
8. (8) Teaching communication and crisis deescalation skills geared for working with member's mental health and behavioral needs.

(f) Nonhourly training and support service must be provided according to the following requirements:

1. (1) The service provides reimbursement to cover the costs for a training event or training resources, such as registration or conference fees, books, or supplies associated with the identified training and support need.

2. (2) A training support need must be as follows:

   1. (A) Identified by the team as a member's need.
   2. (B) Documented on the member's plan of care.

3. (3) An approved event identified by the team must be provided by one (1) of the following types of office-approved resources:

   1. (A) A nonprofit, civic, faith-based, professional, commercial, or government agency or organization.
   2. (B) A community college, vocational school, or university.
   3. (C) A lecture series, workshop, conference, or seminar.
   4. (D) An online training program.
   5. (E) A community mental health center.
   6. (F) Other qualified community service agency.
4. (4) The maximum annual limitation for a nonhourly service is five hundred dollars ($500).

(g) The hourly training and support service is provided in the following manner:

1. (1) The service is provided for the caregiver identified on the plan of care.
2. (2) The service is provided face-to-face in the home or a community-based setting.
3. (3) An hourly service is limited to a maximum of two (2) hours per day.
4. (4) There is no annual limit for the hourly service subject, however, to the limitation in subdivision (3).

(Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services; 405 IAC 5-21.7-19; filed Dec 18, 2013, 11:13 a.m.: 20140115-IR-405130211FRA; filed Aug 1, 2016, 3:44 p.m.: 20160831-IR-405150418FRA; readopted filed Jul 28, 2022, 2:21 p.m.: 20220824-IR-405220205RFA; readopted filed May 30, 2023, 11:54 a.m.: 20230628-IR-405230292RFA)