65G-14.004. Qualified Organization Duties and Responsibilities – Oversight of Support Coordinators

(1) Each Qualified Organization must comply with all requirements identified in Section 393.0663, F.S., which includes ensuring that all Support Coordinator staff have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to competently provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Each Qualified Organization must maintain and enforce standards and procedures to ensure that its Support Coordinators are complying with their duties and responsibilities as described in Chapter 393, F.S.; Division 65G, F.A.C.; the iBudget Handbook, and, if applicable, the CDC+ Handbook, including ensuring its Support Coordinators timely request renewal of their MWSA. Qualified Organizations are responsible for promptly addressing complaints/compliance issues regarding its Support Coordinators’ performance.

(2) Upon request by the Agency or making any material change, the Qualified Organization must submit the following documentation to any Regional Office(s) in which it provides services to demonstrate compliance with Chapter 393, F.S., the iBudget Handbook, and this rule chapter:

(a) A copy of the code of ethics described in Rule 14.0041, F.A.C.;

(b) A copy of the disciplinary process described in Rule 14.0042, F.A.C.;

(c) A copy of the mentoring program described in Rule 14.0043, F.A.C.;

(d) A copy of the policies and procedures required by the iBudget Handbook for provider agencies; and

(e) Table of organization, including at minimum: the first and last name, position title, contact information including phone number and email address, Medicaid provider number (if applicable), and indicate full or part-time employment for all directors, supervisors, owners, operators, managers, or any other position that directly oversees the operations of any Qualified Organization in the State of Florida or who provides support coordination services regardless of contractual relationship, including a designated mentor(s). If the Qualified Organization operates in multiple regions, the table of organization must be organized by region and a point of contact must be designated for each region.

(3) Upon hiring a prospective Support Coordinator who does not have an active MWSA as a Support Coordinator, the Qualified Organization must submit the provider application as described in Rule 65G-4.0215, F.A.C. to the Regional Office and, if applicable, the dual employment plan as described in the iBudget Handbook.

(4) Upon hiring a Support Coordinator with a Medicaid provider number or upon request by the Agency, the Qualified Organization must submit the following information regarding that Support Coordinator to the appropriate Regional Office that includes:

(a) The Support Coordinator’s first and last name;

(b) The Support Coordinator’s Medicaid provider number;

(c) Validation that the Support Coordinator is compliant with training required by Section 393.0663(2)(b)11., F.S.; the iBudget Handbook; and Chapter 65G-10, F.A.C.; and

(d) Any disclosures regarding dual employment of the Support Coordinator.

(5) The Qualified Organization must ensure that any Support Coordinator who pursues dual employment complies with the iBudget Handbook requirements pertaining to dual employment, including ensuring the Support Coordinator remains in compliance with the approved dual employment plan and timely addressing any performance and availability issues.

(6) Each Support Coordinator is prohibited from simultaneously working for more than one Qualified Organization.

(7) Upon request by the Agency or within five (5) calendar days of any Support Coordinator vacancy, which means absence or unavailability in excess of 30 calendar days, the Qualified Organization must submit the following information regarding that Support Coordinator to the appropriate Regional Office that includes:

(a) A list of the clients affected by the absence;

(b) The beginning and end dates of the vacancy;

(c) The name(s) of a temporary Support Coordinator who will serve the affected clients; and

(d) Whether the Support Coordinator left the Qualified Organization voluntarily or involuntarily.

(8) Support Coordinator Training.

(a) Each Qualified Organization must ensure that its Support Coordinators timely complete all required training in accordance with the iBudget Handbook and Chapter 65G-10, F.A.C.

(b) The Qualified Organization must maintain documentation to validate that each Support Coordinator employed by the Qualified Organization timely completed required training as described in the iBudget Handbook and Chapter 65G-10, F.A.C.

(9) Incident Reporting. The Qualified Organization must ensure Support Coordinators comply with all incident reporting requirements articulated in Sections 415 and 39, F.S., and subsection 65G-2.010(5), F.A.C.

(10) Falsification of documents. The Agency will take disciplinary action in accordance with Rule 65G-14.005, F.A.C., against a Qualified Organization that misrepresents or omits any material fact in any documentation submitted to the Agency.

(11) This rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective date.

Rulemaking Authority 393.0662, 393.0663, 393.501 FS. Law Implemented 393.063, 393.0662, 393.0663 FS. History–New 7-1-21, Amended 10-25-22.