6344.1 RSS are strength-based supports for those with addictions and those in recovery from SUD. These services are provided to assist clients with implementation of their recovery plan through direct contact interventions provided to an individual or a group of individuals.
6344.2 RSS activities facilitate implementation of the Plan of Care and administrative facilitation of the client's service needs, including but not limited to:
(a) Scheduling and tracking appointments;(b) Facilitating transportation,(c) Collecting information about the client's progress;(d) Goal setting and monitoring;(f) Assisting with linkages;(g) Assisting with the completion of benefits, housing or financial forms;(h) Assisting clients with strategy development and coping skills;(i) Providing clients with encouragement and emotional support; and(j) Providing education around social skill development and drug free social activities, life skills, relapse prevention, employment preparation, money management, health and wellness, and family reunification.6344.3 In addition to the activities listed in § 6344.2, RSS-HIV entails providing clients access to testing and referrals for HIV and infectious diseases and linkage of services with medical care or specialty services related to an infectious disease. A client does not need to be diagnosed with an infectious disease to receive this service.
6344.4 Additional key service functions of RSS include:
(a) Attending interdisciplinary team meetings for Diagnostic Assessment services;(b) Following up on service delivery by providers external to the treatment program and ensuring communication and coordination of services;(c) Contacting clients who have unexcused absences from program appointments or from other critical off-site service appointments to reengage them and promote recovery efforts;(d) Locating and coordinating services and resources to resolve a client's crisis;(e) Providing training in the development of life skills necessary to achieve and maintain recovery; and(f) Participating in discharge planning.6344.5 Each RSS must be documented using an encounter note that is sufficient to justify the time and service provided.
6344.6 RSS shall be provided in certified SUD treatment programs or community settings.
6344.7 The duration of RSS varies but lasts as long as needed, with a reassessment every one hundred and eighty (180) days according to the client's recovery goals.
6344.8 The need for RSS is determined by the completion of a Diagnostic Assessment service or a Recovery Support Evaluation and shall be authorized in the client's Plan of Care.
6344.9 Each RSS program must have a program manager who is responsible for overseeing all services provided within the program.
6344.10 Each RSS program shall have a comprehensive curriculum that has been approved by the Department.
6344.11The following are qualified practitioners of RSS:
(j) Psychology Associates; and6344.12The following Credentialed Staff shall be permitted to provide RSS:
(b) Certified Peer Specialists; and(c) Individuals with at least a GED or high school diploma, two (2) years of relevant, qualifying full-time-equivalent experience in human service delivery who demonstrates skills in developing positive and productive community relationship, and the ability to negotiate complex service systems to obtain needed services and resources for individuals.D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-A6344
Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 12056 (9/4/2015); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 11585 ( 10/9/2020); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 012400 (11/26/2021)