24 Miss. Code. R. 2-11.4 - 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 either

(1) a graduate-level degree (master's level or above), with at least three (3) full-time years of administrative experience in services related to mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or substance use;

(2) a bachelor's degree, with at least seven (7) years of full-time administrative experience in services related to mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or substance use;

(3) designate a person on site who has a bachelor's degree, with at least seven (7) fulltime years of administrative experience in services related to mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or substance use; or

(4) a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing and current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) (for DMH/H and DMH/I 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, 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 either

(1) a professional license; or

(2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Therapist, or Addictions Therapist (as appropriate to the service and population being served). A RN may be employed as the Director for DMH/H and DMH/I Providers that only serve as agency providers of In-Home Nursing Respite Services, In-Home Respite Services, and Home and Community Support Services.

Directors of ID/DD Waiver Support Coordination or IDD Targeted Case Management must have a minimum of a master's degree in a mental health or intellectual/developmental disabilities-related field and three (3) years of full-time experience in a supervisory capacity overseeing HCBS case management services OR a minimum of a master's degree in a non-related field and five (5) years of full-time experience in a supervisory capacity overseeing HCBS case management services.

C. 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 who has either:

(1) a professional license; or

(2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist, Addictions Therapist or Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Therapist (as appropriate to the service and population being served). IDD Supervised Living Services Supervisors (Rule 30.1.K) should have a bachelor's degree or, at a minimum, a high school diploma or GED equivalent and two (2) years of full-time experience with the IDD population. HCBS Support Coordination and Targeted Case Management Supervisors should have a master's degree with at least two (2) years of relevant experience. Relevant experience means working directly with persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities, other types of disabilities, or serious mental illness.

D. 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 Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure;

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

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

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

F. Nursing services are provided by a RN licensed to practice in Mississippi or an LPN as allowed for in their scopes of practice as outlined by their state licensing entity. Supervisory oversight rules, as outlined by their licensing entity, apply, as well.

G. Psychological services are provided by a psychologist licensed by the Mississippi Board of Psychology.

H. Therapy services are provided by an employee 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).

I. In addition to the requirements for therapy services outlined in the preceding rule, 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.

J. Day Treatment Specialists providing Day Treatment Services for children/youth must have either:

(1) a professional license, or

(2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist.

K. Community Support Services are provided by an employee with 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.

L. Therapeutic Foster Care Specialist(s) must have at least a bachelor's degree in a mental health or related field.

M. Teachers and Education Specialists must have training in mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or a related field, and possess certification by the Mississippi Department of Education appropriate to the service area to which they are assigned.

N. Peer Support Specialist Professionals education requirement: All employees providing Peer Support Services (i.e., Certified Peer Support Specialist Professionals) must possess at least a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) equivalent However, young adults (ages 18-26) may, instead, be enrolled in and attending high school or in the process of obtaining a GED equivalent. Peer Support Specialist Professionals credentialing requirement: All employees must hold the DMH Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional credential.

O. Peer Support Specialist Supervisors must have either:

(1) a 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.

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

1. Wraparound Care Coordinators must hold a DMH Community Support Specialist credential. Wraparound Care Coordinators must also complete trainings provided by the Mississippi Wraparound Institute as required for Wraparound Care Coordinators in the DMH Wraparound Agency Provider Registration Procedure and Requirements. Wraparound Care Coordinators must be under the supervision of a Wraparound Supervisor as defined below.

2. Wraparound supervisors must hold either:

(1) a professional license; or

(2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist, Addictions Therapist, or an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Therapist (as appropriate to the service and population being served). Exemptions to this requirement may be provided based on experience or specialized certification through consultation between DMH and the Mississippi Wraparound Institute. Wraparound supervisors must complete trainings provided by the Mississippi Wraparound Institute as required for Wraparound supervisors in the DMH Wraparound Agency Provider Registration Procedure and Requirements.

Q. All direct support personnel must have at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Direct support personnel are employees who typically provide direct care, support, and assistance to people receiving services and/or who provide fundamental day-to-day direct support duties (such as assistance with daily activities and personal care) and/or job responsibilities of a support role in nature which aid the agency's ability to provide services. Direct support personnel's work generally involves carrying out tasks which are implemented and directed by agency leadership and professional staff to ensure the safety and well-being of people receiving services. Direct Support personnel activities should be individualized depending upon the needs, preferences, and choices of the people they support, as well as what is included in the Plan of Services and Supports. Examples of Direct Services Personnel include, but are not limited to: 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, and Job Coaches.

R. Specialists such as Audiologists, Speech/Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Dieticians, Physical Therapists, etc., must be licensed by their respective licensing authority in Mississippi.

S. 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 11.4.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 11.4.Q.

T. Family members, as defined in the glossary, are prohibited from providing services to another family member with the exception of Home and Community Supports and In-Home Respite.

U. 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 RN with two (2) years of experience in mental health, or an employee who meets the qualifications to provide therapy services as outlined above.

V. Targeted Case Management for people who have an intellectual/developmental disability must be provided by an employee with at least a bachelor's degree in a human services-related field with no experience required or at least a bachelor's degree in a non-related field and at least one (1) year of relevant work experience. Targeted Case Management for people with IDD may also be provided by a RN with at least one (1) year of relevant experience. Relevant experience is defined as full-time experience working directly with people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, other types of disabilities, or mental illness.

W. ID/DD Waiver Support Coordination is provided by an employee with at least a bachelor's degree in a human services-related field with no experience required or at least a bachelor's degree in a non-related field and at least one (1) year of relevant work experience. Relevant experience is defined as full-time experience working directly with people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, other types of disabilities, or mental illness. Transition Coordinators must meet the same requirements as Support Coordinators.

X. Supported Employment Specialists/Supported Employment Expansion Specialists, Certified Peer Support Specialists, and all employees providing Supported Employment Services to people with a serious mental illness must have, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree in a mental health-related field, vocational rehabilitation, social services, business, or a behavioral health/IDD related field, as approved by DMH.

Y. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services must be provided by people licensed in the state of Mississippi as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst (LABA) under the supervision of an LBA. Behavior Technicians must be certified as a Registered Behavior Technician and listed with the respective 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.

Z. Court Liaisons must hold either:

(1) a professional license; or

(2) a DMH credential as a Mental Health Therapist. Court Liaisons must also be trained in assessment and crisis intervention; be knowledgeable about their local systems of care; be knowledgeable about mental health and co-occurring disorders; and, be certified to conduct Pre-affidavit Screenings.

AA. Diversion Coordinators must hold either:

(1) a DMH Community Support Specialist credential;

(2) a DMH Mental Health Therapist credential; or

(3) a professional license.

Notes

24 Miss. Code. R. 2-11.4

Miss. Code Ann. § 41-4-7

Amended 7/1/2016 Amended 9/1/2020 Amended 11/1/2024