24 Miss. Code. R. 2-11.3 - General Qualifications

To ensure initial and continuing receipt of certification/funding from DMH or other approved sources, the agency provider must maintain documentation that employees meet the following qualifications unless otherwise specified herein:

A. One (1) full-time Executive Director who has a minimum of a Master's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in public or business administration, hospital or health care administration, education or in a mental health or related field with a minimum of three (3) years administrative experience in services related to mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities or substance use services or a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in nursing and current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) for DMH/H Providers that only serve as agency providers of In-Home Nursing Respite Services, In-Home Respite Services, Home and Community Support Services and Supported Living.

B. Director(s) with overall responsibility for a service, service area(s) (such as Community Services Director, Director of Community Support Services, Director of ID/DD Waiver Support Coordination, Service Director for Adult and Children's Partial Hospitalization, Day Treatment, Therapeutic Foster Care) or multiple services provided at/from a single location. This person must have at least a Master's degree in mental health or intellectual/developmental disabilities, or a related field and either (1) a professional license or (2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist or Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Therapist (as appropriate to the service and population being served). A registered nurse may be employed as the Director for DMH/H Providers that only serve as agency providers of In-Home Nursing Respite Services, In-Home Respite Services and Home and Community Support Services.

C. In addition to the requirements outlined in Rule 11.3.B Directors of Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) Services must also have at least one (1) year of experience in administration or supervision of a mental health or related service.

D. Supervisor(s) with predominantly supervisory and administrative responsibilities on-site in the day-to-day provision of services at a single location for such areas as Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services, Day Services-Adult etc., must have at least a Bachelor's degree in a mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or a related field, and be under the supervision of a person with a Master's degree in mental health or intellectual/developmental disabilities, or a related field and who has either (1) a professional license or (2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist or Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities Therapist (as appropriate to the service and population being served).

E. Medication evaluation and monitoring, the initial evaluation, prescribing of medications, and regular/periodic monitoring of the therapeutic effects of medication prescribed for mental health purposes are provided by:

1. A Board-certified or Board-eligible psychiatrist licensed by the MS Board of Medical Licensure; or,

2. A psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner licensed by the MS Board of Nursing; or,

3. Other medical professional practicing within the scope of authority as defined by their professional licensing entity.

F. Medical services are provided by a psychiatrist or other physician licensed by the MS Board of Medical Licensure.

G. Nursing services are provided by a registered nurse licensed to practice in Mississippi or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) as allowed in the MS Nursing Practice Act and Rules and Regulations. This applies to appropriate supervisory oversight rules as well.

H. Psychological services are provided by a psychologist licensed by the MS Board of Psychology.

I. Therapy services are provided by an employee with at least a Master's degree in an addictions-, mental health-, intellectual/developmental disabilities-, or human services/behavioral health-related field and who has either (1) a professional license or (2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Therapist, or Addictions Therapist (as appropriate to the service and population being served).

J. In addition to the requirements outlined in Rule 11.3.I, the Mental Health Therapist in Therapeutic Foster Care Services, must have at least one (1) year of experience and/or training in working directly with children/youth with behavioral/emotional disturbance.

K. All Day Treatment Specialists providing Day Treatment Services for children/youth must have a Master's degree in a mental health-related field and (1) a professional license or (2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist.

L. Community Support Services are provided by an employee with at least a Bachelor's degree in a mental health-, intellectual/developmental disabilities-, or human services/behavioral health-related field and at least a DMH Community Support Specialist credential. Community Support Services can also be provided by DMH Credentialed Therapists (MH, IDD and Addictions as appropriate to the population being served) and people with an appropriate professional license.

M. Therapeutic Foster Care Specialist(s) must have at least a Bachelor's degree in a mental health or related field and at least one (1) year of documented experience and/or training in working with children with special behavioral/emotional needs and their families/other caregivers.

N. Teachers and Education Specialists must have a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree in Special Education, as required, with training in mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or a related field, and possess certification by the MS Department of Education appropriate to the service area to which they are assigned.

O. All employees providing Peer Support Services (i.e. Certified Peer Support Specialist Professionals) must possess at least a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent, self-identify as a current or a person who has previously received mental health services, parent or primary caregiver. For young adults ages eighteen - twenty-six (18-26) years, Peer Support Specialist Professionals must be enrolled and attending school or in the process of obtaining a GED. All employees must successfully complete the DMH approved Certified Peer Support Specialist training and certification exam to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional.

P. Peer Support Specialist Supervisors must hold a minimum of a Master's degree in an addictions-, mental health-, intellectual/developmental disabilities-, or human services/behavioral health-related field. They must have either 1) professional license or 2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Therapist, or Addictions Therapist prior to, or immediately upon acceptance in a Peer Support Specialist Supervisory position. This person will be required to receive basic Peer Support Specialist training specifically developed for supervision as provided by DMH.

Q. Wraparound professionals must work at a certified wraparound agency provider and must complete all activities as required by DMH to maintain certification.

1. Wraparound facilitators must hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a mental health-, intellectual/developmental disabilities-, or human services/behavioral health-related field and a DMH Community Support Specialist credential. Wraparound facilitators must also complete trainings provided by the MS Wraparound Institute as required for wraparound facilitators in the DMH Wraparound Agency Provider Registration Procedure and Requirements. Wraparound facilitators must be under the supervision of a Wraparound Supervisor as defined in Rule 11.3.P.2.

2. Wraparound supervisors must hold a minimum of a Master's degree in a mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or related field and who has either a (1) professional license or (2) a DMH credential as a Mental health Therapist or an Intellectual and Developmental Therapist. Exemptions to this educational requirement may be provided based on experience or specialized certification through consultation between DMH and the MS Wraparound Institute. Wraparound supervisors must complete trainings provided by the MS Wraparound Institute as required for Wraparound supervisors in the DMH Wraparound Agency Provider Registration Procedure and Requirements.

R. All direct support personnel such as Aides, House Parents, House Managers, On-Site Community Living Managers, Direct Support Workers, Direct Support Professionals, Work Trainers, Production Assistants, Day Treatment Assistants, support personnel in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Senior Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Day Services-Adult personnel, Home and Community Support Services personnel, Job Coaches, etc. must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent GED.

S. Specialists such as Audiologists, Speech/Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Dieticians, Physical Therapists, etc., must meet the educational requirements of and be licensed by their respective licensing authority in Mississippi.

T. Employees serving as Qualified Intellectual/Disabilities Professionals (QIDP) must have at least a Bachelor's degree in a human services field and one (1) year of experience in direct service with people with developmental disabilities.

U. Employees writing Job Discovery Profiles for IDD Waiver Services must have at least a Bachelor's degree in a mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or related field, and be under the supervision of an employee meeting the requirements of Rule 11.3.B. Employees writing Job Discovery Profiles must have completed training in Customized Employment approved by DMH prior to service provision. Observation and/or participation in Job Discovery activities can be conducted by direct support personnel meeting the requirements of Rule 11.3.R.

V. Family members are prohibited from providing services to another family member with the exception of Home and Community Supports and In-Home Respite.

W. Targeted Case Management for people with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance must be provided by, at a minimum, a licensed social worker (LSW) with two (2) years of experience in mental health, a registered nurse with two (2) years of experience in mental health, or an employee who meets the qualifications to provide therapy services as stated in Rule 11.3.1 above.

X. Targeted Case Management/Transition Coordination Services for people who have an intellectual/developmental disability must be provided by an employee with at least a Bachelor's degree in an intellectual/developmental disabilities or related field or a registered nurse and have at least one (1) year of experience working with people who have an intellectual/developmental disability. Targeted Case Management/ Transition Coordination can also be provided by DMH Credentialed Therapists, as appropriate to the population being served or employees with an appropriate professional license.

Y. ID/DD Waiver Support Coordination is provided by an employee with at least a Bachelor's degree in an intellectual/developmental disabilities or related field and one (1) year of experience working with people who have an intellectual/developmental disability. Support Coordination can also be provided by DMH Credentialed Therapists, as appropriate to the population being served or employees with an appropriate professional license. ID/DD Waiver Support Coordination can also be provided by a registered nurse with at least one (1) year of experience working with people who have an intellectual/developmental disability.

Z. All employees providing Supported Employment Services to people with a serious mental illness must have, at a minimum, a Bachelor's degree in mental health, vocational rehabilitation, social services or business. Employees must be proficient or receive training in the development of a career profile, employment plans, job development, career development, job search and Social Security benefits.

AA. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services must be provided by people licensed in the state of Mississippi (Miss Code 73-75, (2016), as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst. Behavior Technicians must be certified as a Registered Behavior Technician and listed with the State Licensure Board under a supervising Licensed Behavior Analyst. Licensed Psychologists whose scope of practice, training, and competence includes Applied Behavior Analysis may provide Applied Behavior Analysis services.

Notes

24 Miss. Code. R. 2-11.3

Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code, 1972, as Amended

Amended 7/1/2016 Amended 9/1/2020