Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-5-.13 - Qualified Residential Treatment Program

(1) Qualified Residential Treatment Programs. Qualified residential treatment programs must meet all rule requirements for licensing as a child-caring institution in addition to all requirements in Rule .13.

(2) A qualified residential treatment program shall meet the requirements set forth below:

(a) Designation Requirements. The Institution shall be designated as a child-caring institution licensed by the Department of Human Services Residential Child Care Licensing.

(b) The Institution shall be accredited by any of the following independent, not-for-profit organizations and maintain such accreditation:

1. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF);

2. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO);

3. The Council on Accreditation (COA); or

4. Any other independent, not-for-profit accrediting organization approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(c) The Institution shall have a trauma-informed treatment model designed to address the needs of children in the program. The treatment model shall be approved by the Department's Division of Family and Children Services.

(d) The Institution shall be equipped to meet the clinical needs, as appropriate, of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances, as appropriate for the Institution's residential treatment license.

(e) The Institution shall be equipped to implement the necessary treatment for a child that is identified by an assessment to determine appropriateness of placement in the program.

(f) The Institution shall have registered or licensed nursing staff and other licensed clinical staff who:

1. Provide care within the scope of their practice as allowed by applicable law or a professional certification or license;

2. Are onsite according to the qualified residential treatment program treatment model; and

3. Are available twenty-four (24) hours a day and seven (7) days a week.

(3) Admissions. An Institution shall document an initial qualified residential treatment program assessment made by a qualified individual that determines the appropriateness of placement of a child in a qualified residential treatment program. The initial qualified residential treatment program assessment shall be completed prior to the child's placement in a qualified residential treatment program, but no later than 30 days following the start of such placement.

(4) Family Engagement Plan. An Institution shall:

(a) To the extent appropriate, and in accordance with the child's best interests, facilitate participation of family members in the child's treatment program;

(b) Facilitate outreach to the family members of the child, including siblings; document how the outreach is made, including contact information, and maintain contact information for any known biological family and fictive kin of the child; and

(c) Document how family members are integrated into the treatment process for the child, including post-discharge, and how sibling connections are maintained.

(5) An Institution shall provide discharge planning and family-based aftercare support for at least six months post-discharge.

(6) Application. An application for the issuance of an initial license to operate a qualified residential treatment program shall be made in writing on forms provided by the Department, signed by the person seeking authority to operate the Institution and include at least the following information:

(a) Verification of accreditation, in accordance with Rule .13(2)b;

(b) Documentation of policies and procedures regarding the approved trauma informed care model;

(c) A written statement that the Institution has access to nursing staff and clinical staff, in accordance with Rule .13(2)f;

(d) Documentation of policies and procedures regarding family engagement; and

(e) Documentation of policies and procedures regarding the discharge plan and family-based aftercare support.

(7) The Department may conduct site visits, a review of records, and interviews with staff and residents as part of a review and assessment of application materials and compliance with applicable licensing rules and regulations.

(8) Upon receipt of all application documents and information, the Department shall review and determine if all requirements are met for designation as a qualified residential treatment program.

(9) The Department may request additional supporting documentation or information to demonstrate compliance with licensing requirements for child-caring institutions along with requirements for designation as a qualified residential treatment program.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-5-.13

O.C.G.A. §§ 49-5-8, 49-5-12, 15-11-2, 15-11-201, 15-11-219, 15-11-220, 15-11-231.

Original Rule entitled "Foster Home Care" adopted. F. Jun. 30, 1994; eff. Aug. 1, 1994, as specified by the Agency. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 5, 2007; eff. June 25, 2007. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Jan. 24, 2008; eff. Feb. 13, 2008. Repealed: F. Dec. 7, 2020; eff. Jan. 1, 2021, as specified by the Agency. Adopted: New Rule entitled "Qualified Residential Treatment Program." F. Jan. 9, 2025; eff. Jan. 29, 2025.