Section 388-877A-0270. Crisis mental health services—Peer support services.

Crisis peer support services assist an individual in exercising control over their own life and recovery process through the practice of peer counselors sharing their own life experiences related to mental illness to build alliances that enhance the individual's ability to function.

(1) Peer support services are intended to augment and not supplant other necessary mental health services.

(2) An agency providing crisis peer support services must:

(a) Ensure services are provided by a person recognized by the division of behavioral health and recovery (DBHR) as a peer counselor, as defined in WAC 388-877-0200, under the supervision of a mental health professional.

(b) Ensure services provided by a peer counselor are within the scope of the peer counselor's training and credential.

(c) Ensure that a peer counselor responding to a crisis is accompanied by a mental health professional.

(d) Ensure that any staff member who engages in home visits is provided by their employer with a wireless telephone, or comparable device, for the purpose of emergency communication.

(e) Ensure peer counselors receive annual training that is relevant to their unique working environment.

[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, § 388-877A-0270, filed 6/15/16, effective 7/16/16. 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 13-12-053, § 388-877A-0270, 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, § 388-877A-0270, filed 6/15/16, effective 7/16/16. 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 13-12-053, § 388-877A-0270, filed 5/31/13, effective 7/1/13.

Rules

388-877-0200,