Section 772. Family/caregiver training

A. Service description. Family or caregiver training is a service that provides training and counseling services to families or caregivers of individuals receiving waiver services. For purposes of this service, "family" is defined as the unpaid people who live with or provide care to an individual served on the waiver, and may include a parent, spouse, children, relatives, foster family, or in-laws. "Family" does not include people who are employed to care for the individual. All family/caregiver training must be included in the individual's written plan of care.

B. Criteria. The need for the training and the content of the training in order to assist family or caregivers with maintaining the individual at home must be documented in the individual's plan of care. The training must be necessary in order to improve the family or caregiver's ability to give care and support.

C. Service units and service limitations. Services will be billed hourly and must be prior authorized. Family, as defined in this section, may receive up to 80 hours of family/caregiver training per individual's plan of care year.

D. Provider requirements. In addition to meeting the general conditions and requirements for home and community-based waiver services participating providers as specified in 12VAC30-120-730 and 12VAC30-120-740, family/caregiver training providers must meet the following requirements:

1. Family/caregiver training must be provided on an individual basis, in small groups or through seminars and conferences provided by DMAS-enrolled family and caregiver training providers.

2. Family/caregiver training must be provided by providers with expertise in, experience in, or demonstrated knowledge of the training topic identified in the plan of care, and who work for an agency or organization that has a provider participation agreement with DMAS to provide these services. Providers must also have the appropriate licensure or certification as required for the specific professional field associated with the training area. Providers include the following: qualified staff of provider agencies; psychologists; licensed clinical social workers; and licensed professional counselors. Qualified staff of provider agencies must be licensed and include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech/language pathologists, physicians, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, registered nurses, and special education teachers. Provision of services is monitored by the individual or his family/caregiver, as appropriate, or the case manager.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 17, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 20, eff. July 11, 2007; Volume 30, Issue 14, eff. April 10, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396.