Virginia Administrative Code › Title 12 - HEALTH › Agency 30 - DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES › Chapter 122 - COMMUNITY WAIVER SRVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES › Section 12VAC30-122-450 - Peer support service

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A.
				Service description. Peer mentor supports provide information, resources,
				guidance, and support from an experienced, trained peer mentor to an individual
				who is a waiver recipient. This service is delivered to waiver recipients by
				other individuals with developmental disabilities who are or have been service
				recipients, have shared experiences with the individual, and provide support
				and guidance to him. The service is designed to foster connections and
				relationships that build individual resilience. Peer mentor supports encourage
				individuals with developmental disabilities to share their successful
				strategies and experiences in navigating a broad range of community resources
				beyond those offered through the waiver with waiver participants so that the
				waiver participant is better able to advocate for and make a plan to achieve
				integrated opportunities and experiences in living, working, socializing, and
				staying healthy and safe in his own life, as well as to overcome personal
				barriers which are inhibiting him from being more independent. Peer mentoring
				is intended to assist with empowering the individual receiving the service.
				This service is delivered based on the support needs of the individual as
				outlined in his person-centered plan. This service shall require the use of a
				peer support service administrative provider enrolled with DMAS that shall be
				responsible for directly coordinating the service and directly billing DMAS for
				reimbursement. This service is designed to be short-term and periodic in
				nature.
B. Criteria and allowable
				activities. Allowable activities may include the following for the individual
				as documented in the individual's plan for supports:
1. The administering agency facilitates peer
				to peer "matches" and follows up to ensure the matched relationship meets the
				individual's expectations;
2. The
				peer mentor has face-to-face contact with the individual to discuss the
				individual's specific interests or desired outcomes related to realizing
				greater independence and the barriers to achieving them;
3. The peer mentor explains community
				services and programs and suggests strategies to the individual to achieve the
				individual's desired outcomes, particularly related to living more
				independently, engaging in paid employment, and expanding social opportunities
				in order to reduce the need for supports from family members or paid
				staff;
4. The peer mentor provides
				information from his experiences to help the individual in problem solving,
				decision making, developing supportive community relationships, and exploring
				specific community resources that promote increased independence and community
				integration; or
5. The peer mentor
				assists the individual in developing a personal plan for accessing the
				identified integrated community activities, supports, services, or
				resources.