Section 388-877-0420. Agency administration—Policies and procedures.

Each agency licensed by the department to provide any behavioral health service must develop, implement, and maintain administrative policies and procedures to meet the minimum requirements of this chapter. The policies and procedures must demonstrate the following, as applicable:

(1) Ownership. Documentation of the agency's governing body, including a description of membership and authorities, and documentation of the agency's:

(a) Articles and certificate of incorporation and bylaws if the owner is a corporation;

(b) Partnership agreement if the owner is a partnership; or

(c) Sole proprietorship if one person is the owner.

(2) Licensure. A copy of the agency's master business license that authorizes the organization to do business in Washington state that:

(a) Includes the entity's name, firm name, or registered trade name; and

(b) Lists all addresses where the entity performs services.

(3) Organizational description. An organizational description detailing all positions and associated licensure or certification, updated as needed.

(4) Agency staffing and supervision. Documentation that shows the agency has staff members:

(a) Adequate in number to provide program-specific certified services to serve the agency's caseload of individuals; and

(b) Who provide treatment in accordance to regulations relevant to their specialty or specialties and registration, certification, licensing, and trainee or volunteer status.

(5) Interpreter services for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and individuals who have sensory disabilities. Documentation that demonstrates the agency's ability to provide or coordinate services for individuals with LEP and individuals who have sensory disabilities.

(a) Certified interpreters or other interpreter services must be available for individuals with limited English speaking proficiency and individuals who have sensory disabilities; or

(b) The agency must have the ability to effectively provide, coordinate or refer individuals in these populations for appropriate assessment or treatment.

(6) Reasonable access for individuals with disabilities. A description of how reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

(7) Nondiscrimination. A description of how the agency complies with all state and federal nondiscrimination laws, rules, and plans.

(8) Fee schedules. A copy of the agency's current fee schedules for all services must be available on request.

(9) Funding options for treatment costs. A description of how the agency works with individuals to address the funding of an individual's treatment costs, including a mechanism to address changes in the individual's ability to pay.

(10) State and federal rules on confidentiality. A description of how the agency implements state and federal rules on individuals' confidentiality consistent with the service or services being provided.

(11) Reporting and documentation of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation. A description how the agency directs staff to report and document suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult consistent with chapters 26.44 and 74.34 RCW.

(12) Protection of youth. Documentation of how the agency addresses compliance with program-specific rules and the protection of youth participating in group or residential treatment with adults.

(13) Completing and submitting reports. A description of how the agency directs staff to:

(a) Complete and submit in a timely manner, all reports required by entities such as the courts, department of corrections, department of licensing, and the department of social and health services; and

(b) Include a copy of the report(s) in the clinical record and document the date submitted.

(14) Reporting the death of an individual seeking or receiving services. A description of how the agency directs staff to report to the department or behavioral health organization (BHO), as applicable, within one business day the death of any individual which occurs on the premises of a licensed agency.

(15) Reporting critical incidents. A description of how the agency directs staff to report to the department or BHO, as applicable, within one business day any critical incident that occurs involving an individual, and actions taken as a result of the incident.

(16) A smoking policy. Documentation that a smoking policy consistent with chapter 70.160 RCW (smoking in public places), is in effect.

(17) Outpatient evacuation plan. For a nonresidential agency, an evacuation plan for use in the event of a disaster or emergency that addresses:

(a) Different types of disasters or emergencies;

(b) Placement of posters showing routes of exit;

(c) The need to mention evacuation routes at public meetings;

(d) Communication methods for individuals, staff, and visitors, including persons with a visual or hearing impairment or limitation;

(e) Evacuation of mobility impaired individuals; and

(f) Evacuation of children if child care is offered.

(18) Individual rights. A description of how the agency has individual participation rights and policies consistent with WAC 388-877-0600 and if applicable, WAC 388-877-0680.

(19) Individual complaints and grievances. A description of how the agency addresses an individual's complaint, consistent with WAC 388-877-0605, and/or the grievance system, consistent with WAC 388-877-0650 through 388-877-0675.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.02.290, 70.02.340, 70.96A.040(4), 71.05.560, 71.24.035 (5)(c), 71.34.380, and 2014 c 225. WSR 16-13-087, § 388-877-0420, filed 6/15/16, effective 7/16/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.550, 74.04.050, 74.08.090 and chapters 70.02, 71.24 RCW. WSR 14-18-014, § 388-877-0420, filed 8/22/14, effective 9/22/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.02, 70.96A, 71.05, 71.24, 71.34, 74.50 RCW, RCW 74.08.090, 43.20A.890, and 42 C.F.R. Part 8. WSR 13-12-054, § 388-877-0420, filed 5/31/13, effective 7/1/13.]

RCW 70.02.290, 70.02.340, 70.96A.040(4), 71.05.560, 71.24.035 (5)(c), 71.34.380, and 2014 c 225. WSR 16-13-087, § 388-877-0420, filed 6/15/16, effective 7/16/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.550, 74.04.050, 74.08.090 and chapters 70.02, 71.24 RCW. WSR 14-18-014, § 388-877-0420, filed 8/22/14, effective 9/22/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.02, 70.96A, 71.05, 71.24, 71.34, 74.50 RCW, RCW 74.08.090, 43.20A.890, and 42 C.F.R. Part 8. WSR 13-12-054, § 388-877-0420, filed 5/31/13, effective 7/1/13.

Rules

388-877-0600,388-877-0680,388-877-0605,388-877-0650,388-877-0675,