37.87.1402    HOME SUPPORT SERVICES (HSS) AND THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE (TFC), DEFINITIONS

(1) "Behavioral Aide" means for therapeutic foster care permanency, an unlicensed employee of the mental health center who works under the supervision of the licensed mental health professional. All behavioral aides must have, at a minimum, a high school diploma and at least two years of experience working with emotionally disturbed youth or providing direct services in a human services field. Aides may only provide services for which they have demonstrated competency and which are not limited to the scope and practice of the licensed mental health professional.

(2) "Caregiver" means a person responsible for the well-being of the youth on a day-to-day basis with written permission from the legal representative of the youth, when applicable.

(3) "Clinical lead" means a person who is an employee of the provider agency who is responsible for the supervision and overall provision of treatment services to youth in HSS and TFC. The clinical lead must be a licensed mental health professional as defined in ARM 37.87.102 or an individual providing in-training mental health services as defined in ARM 37.87.702.

(4) "Concurrent" means any time during the 90-day period of the individualized treatment plan for HSS and TFC, unless the youth is discharged from service.

(5) "Family support specialist" (FSS) means a person who is an employee of the provider agency who provides therapeutic interventions to youth who are receiving HSS and TFC. The FSS must have a bachelor's degree in a human services field or a combination of experience and education equivalent to a bachelor's degree. For an FSS, six years of human services experience equates to a bachelor's degree, and each year of post-secondary education in human services equates to one year of experience.

(6) "Home support services (HSS)" is defined in the Manual adopted and incorporated by reference in ARM 37.87.903.

(7) "Natural supports" means relationships and supports that occur within the community in everyday life including but not limited to relationships with family members, friends, neighbors, and community acquaintances.

(8) "Therapeutic foster care (TFC)" means medically necessary, intensive in-home services delivered by a provider with specialized training and experience working with caregivers and youth in their homes, with temporary services available when a youth is homeless for fewer than 90 days. 

History: 53-2-201, 53-6-113, MCA; IMP, 53-2-201, 53-6-101, MCA; NEW, 2013 MAR p. 166, Eff. 2/1/13; AMD, 2020 MAR p. 691, Eff. 11/1/20; AMD, 2020 MAR p. 2435, Eff. 1/1/21.