Family peer support services:

1. A. May be provided without the presence of the participant;
2. B. Are delivered by a family peer support partner employed by a family support organization (FSO);

3. C. May include, but are not limited to:

   1. (1) Explaining the role and function of the FSO to newly enrolled families and creating linkages to other peers and supports in the community;
   2. (2) Working with the participant and family to identify and articulate concerns, needs, and vision for the future of the participant;

   3. (3) Ensuring family and participant opinions and perspectives are incorporated into the CFT process and POC:

      1. (a) Through communication with the care coordinator and team members; and
      2. (b) By attending CFT meetings with the family to support family decision-making and choice of options;
   4. (4) Listening to the family express needs and concerns and offering suggestions for engagement in the treatment process;
   5. (5) Helping the family identify and engage its own natural support system and facilitating the family attending peer support groups and other FSO activities throughout the POC process;

   6. (6) Working with the family:

      1. (a) To organize and prepare for meetings in order to maximize participation in meetings;
      2. (b) By informing the family about options and possible outcomes in selecting services and supports to assist with informed decision-making; and
      3. (c) By supporting the family in meetings at school and other locations in the community and during court hearings;
   7. (7) Empowering the family to make choices to achieve desired outcomes for the participant as well as the entire family; and

   8. (8) Helping the family to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to attain greater self-sufficiency and maximum autonomy and assisting the family to develop the skills and confidence to independently identify, seek out and access resources that will assist in:

      1. (a) Managing and mitigating the participant's behavioral health condition or conditions;
      2. (b) Preventing the development of secondary or other chronic conditions;
      3. (c) Promoting optimal physical and behavioral health; and
      4. (d) Addressing and encouraging activities related to health and wellness.

4. D. Are provided by a family support organization (FSO) that:

   1. (1) Is designated as a private, nonprofit entity designated under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, and submits copies of the certificate of incorporation and Internal Revenue Service designation;

   2. (2) Has a board of directors comprised of more than 50 percent of individuals who are:

      1. (a) Caregivers with a current or previous primary daily responsibility for raising a child or youth with behavioral health challenges,
      2. (b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; or
      3. (c) Both §D(2)(a) and (b) of this regulation.
   3. (3) Submits a list of board members with identification of those who are caregivers meeting the criteria in §D(2)(b) of this regulation;

   4. (4) Establishes hiring practices that give preference to:

      1. (a) Current or previous caregivers of a child or youth with behavioral health challenges;
      2. (b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; or
      3. (c) Both §D(4)(a) and (b) of this regulation;
   5. (5) Submits a copy of the organization's personnel policy that sets forth the preferred employment criteria stated in §D(4) of this regulation;

   6. (6) Employs a staff that is comprised of at least 75 percent of individuals who are:

      1. (a) Current or previous caregivers of a child or youth with behavioral health challenges; or
      2. (b) Individuals who have experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges;
   7. (7) Submits a list of staff and positions held with identification of those who fit the experienced caregiver and consumer criteria stated in §D(6) of this regulation; and

   8. (8) Submits a certificate of eligibility that includes:

      1. (a) Attestation of compliance with §D(1)—(6) of this regulation; and
      2. (b) The organization’s mission statement that establishes the purpose of the organization as providing support and education to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges and their caregivers; and

5. E. Shall be provided by family peer support partners who:

   1. (1) Are employed by an FSO;
   2. (2) Are 18 years old or older;

   3. (3) Receive supervision from an individual who:

      1. (a) Is 21 years old or older; and
      2. (b) Has at least 3 years of experience providing family peer-to-peer support or working with children with serious behavioral health challenges and their families;
   4. (4) Have current or prior experience as a caregiver of a child with behavioral health challenges or be an individual who has experience with State or local services and systems as a consumer who has or had behavioral health challenges; and
   5. (5) Receive training and certification as approved by the Department.

Authority: Health-General Article, §2-104(b), Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: October 1, 2014 (41:19 Md. R. 1077)

Regulation .15B amended effective July 4, 2016 (43:13 Md. R. 712)

Regulation .10F amended October 24, 2016 (43:21 Md. R. 1166); January 15, 2018 (45:1 Md. R. 13)

Regulation .11E amended October 24, 2016 (43:21 Md. R. 1166); January 15, 2018 (45:1 Md. R. 13)

Regulation .12C amended October 24, 2016 (43:21 Md. R. 1166); January 15, 2018 (45:1 Md. R. 13)

Regulation .13D amended October 24, 2016 (43:21 Md. R. 1166); January 15, 2018 (45:1 Md. R. 13)

Regulation .14F amended October 24, 2016 (43:21 Md. R. 1166); January 15, 2018 (45:1 Md. R. 13)

Chapter revised effective August 26, 2019 (46:17 Md. R. 726)

Regulation .02B amended effective June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473)

Regulation .03C, E, H amended effective June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473)

Regulation .04A amended effective June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473)

Regulation .09D, E amended effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 974)

Regulation .09F amended effective May 18, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517); June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473); April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 466)

Regulation .09F repealed effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 974)

Regulation .10C, D amended effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 974)

Regulation .10E amended effective May 18, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517); June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473); April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 466)

Regulation .10E repealed effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 974)

Regulation .11C amended effective May 18, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517); June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473); April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 466)

Regulation .11C repealed effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 974)

Regulation .12F amended effective May 18, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517); June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473); April 4, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 466)

Regulation .12F repealed effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 974)

Regulation .14 amended effective September 16, 2024 (51:18 Md. R. 809)

Regulation .14E—I adopted effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 974)