65D-30.013. Standards for Prevention

Prevention includes activities and strategies that are used to preclude the development of substance use problems. In addition to Rule 65D-30.004, F.A.C., the following standards apply to prevention.

(1) Categories of Prevention. For the purpose of these rules, prevention services are categorized as indicated, selective, or universal direct. While the Department covers universal indirect as a prevention service under Rule 65E-14.021, F.A.C., this service is not regulated under this rule.

(a) Indicated prevention services are provided to at-risk individuals who are identified as having minimal but detectable signs or symptoms foreshadowing mental health or substance use disorders. Target recipients of indicated prevention services are at-risk individuals who do not meet clinical criteria for mental health or substance use disorders. Indicated prevention services are designed to preclude, forestall, or impede the development of mental health or substance use abuse disorders.

(b) Selective prevention services are provided to a population subgroup whose risk of developing mental health or substance use disorders is higher than average. Target recipients of selective prevention services do not meet clinical criteria for mental health or substance use disorders. Selective prevention services are designed to preclude, forestall, or impede the development of mental health or substance use disorders.

(c) Universal direct prevention services are provided to the general public or a whole population that has not been identified on the basis of individual risk. These services are designed to preclude, forestall, or impede the development of mental health or substance use disorders. Universal direct services directly serve an identifiable group of participants who have not been identified on the basis of individual risk. These services include interventions involving interpersonal and ongoing or repeated contacts such as curricula, programs, and classes.

(2) Specific Prevention Strategies. The following is a description of the specific prevention strategies that are provided through prevention services.

(a) Information Dissemination. This strategy provides knowledge and increases awareness of the nature and extent of alcohol and other drug use, abuse, and addiction, as well as their effects on individuals, families, and communities. It also provides knowledge and increases awareness of available prevention and treatment programs and services. It is characterized by one-way communication from the source to the audience, with limited contact between the two.

(b) Education. This strategy builds skills through structured learning processes. Critical life and social skills include decision making, peer resistance, coping with stress, problem solving, interpersonal communication, and systematic and judgmental abilities. There is more interaction between facilitators and participants than in the information strategy.

(c) Alternatives. This strategy provides participation in activities that exclude alcohol and other drugs. The purpose is to meet the needs filled by alcohol and other drugs with healthy activities, and to discourage the use of alcohol and drugs through these activities.

(d) Problem Identification and Referral Services. This strategy aims to identify those who have engaged in illegal/age-inappropriate use of tobacco or alcohol and individuals who have engaged in the first use of illicit drugs in order to assess if their behavior can be reversed through education. It should be noted however, that this strategy does not include any activity designed to determine if a person is in need of treatment.

(e) Community-Based Process. This strategy provides ongoing networking activities and technical assistance to community groups or agencies. It encompasses neighborhood-based, grassroots empowerment models using action planning and collaborative systems planning.

(f) Environmental. This strategy establishes or changes written and unwritten community standards, codes, and attitudes, thereby influencing alcohol and other drug use by the general population.

(3) General Requirements.

(a) Staffing Patterns. Providers shall delineate reporting relationships and staff supervision. This shall include a description of staff qualifications, including educational background and experience regarding the substance use prevention field. Providers shall have at least one (1) professional who is:

1. A Certified Prevention Professional under the Florida Certification Board; or

2. A Certified Prevention Specialist under the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium; or

3. A Qualified Professional with at least one year of experience in the delivery of prevention services.

(b) Referral. Providers shall have a plan for assessing the appropriateness of prevention services and conditions for referral to other services. The plan shall include a current directory of locally available substance use services and other human services for referral of prevention program participants, or prospective participants.

(4) Requirements for Providers of Universal Direct Prevention Services.

(a) Program Description. Providers of universal direct prevention services shall describe the prevention services that will be available. This description shall include:

1. The target population, including relevant demographic factors (if known),

2. The risk and protective factors to be addressed (if known),

3. The specific prevention strategies identified in subsection 65D-30.013(2), F.A.C., to be utilized,

4. The appropriateness of these services to address risk and protective factors (if these are known); and,

5. How the effectiveness of the services will be evaluated.

(b) Activity Logs for Providers of Universal Direct Prevention Services. Providers shall collect and maintain records of all universal direct prevention services, including the following:

1. A description of the characteristics of the target population;

2. The risk and protective factors to be addressed (if known);

3. A description of the activities, including the specific prevention strategies used;

4. The duration of the activities;

5. The number of participants;

6. The location of service delivery; and,

7. The date of the activity.

(5) Requirements for Providers of Selective Prevention Services.

(a) Program Description. Providers of selective prevention services shall describe the prevention services that will be available. This description shall include:

1. The target population, including relevant demographic factors;

2. The risk and protective factors to be addressed;

3. The specific prevention strategies identified in subsection 65D-30.013(2), F.A.C., to be utilized;

4. The appropriateness of these services to address identified risk and protective factors; and

5. How the effectiveness of the services will be evaluated.

(b) Activity Logs for Providers of Selective Prevention Services. Providers shall collect and maintain records of all universal direct prevention services, including the following:

1. A description of the characteristics of the target population;

2. The risk and protective factors to be addressed;

3. A description of the activities, including the specific prevention strategies used;

4. The duration of the activities;

5. The number of participants;

6. The location of service delivery; and

7. The date of the activity.

(6) Requirements for Providers of Indicated Prevention Services.

(a) Program Description. Providers of indicated prevention services shall describe the prevention services that will be available.

(b) This description of indicated prevention services shall include:

1. The target population, including relevant demographic factors;

2. The risk and protective factors to be addressed;

3. The specific prevention strategies identified in subsection 65D-30.013(2), F.A.C., to be utilized;

4. The appropriateness of these services to address identified risk and protective factors; and

5. How the effectiveness of the services will be evaluated.

Rulemaking Authority 397.321(5) FS. Law Implemented 397.311(26), 397.321, 397.410 FS. History–New 5-25-00, Amended 4-3-03, 8-29-19, 3-30-23.