2021 Minnesota Statutes

256B.0616 MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFIED FAMILY PEER SPECIALIST.

Subdivision 1.Scope.

Medical assistance covers mental health certified family peer specialists services, as established in subdivision 2, subject to federal approval, if provided to recipients who have an emotional disturbance or severe emotional disturbance under chapter 245, and are provided by a mental health certified family peer specialist who has completed the training under subdivision 5 and is qualified according to section 245I.04, subdivision 12. A family peer specialist cannot provide services to the peer specialist's family.

[See Note.]

Subd. 2.Establishment.

The commissioner of human services shall establish a certified family peer specialists program model which:

(1) provides nonclinical family peer support counseling, building on the strengths of families and helping them achieve desired outcomes;

(2) collaborates with others providing care or support to the family;

(3) provides nonadversarial advocacy;

(4) promotes the individual family culture in the treatment milieu;

(5) links parents to other parents in the community;

(6) offers support and encouragement;

(7) assists parents in developing coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills;

(8) promotes resiliency, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of skills learned in other support services;

(9) establishes and provides peer-led parent support groups; and

(10) increases the child's ability to function better within the child's home, school, and community by educating parents on community resources, assisting with problem solving, and educating parents on mental illnesses.

[See Note.]

Subd. 3.Eligibility.

Family peer support services may be provided to recipients of inpatient hospitalization, partial hospitalization, residential treatment, intensive treatment in foster care, day treatment, children's therapeutic services and supports, or crisis services.

[See Note.]

Subd. 4.Peer support specialist program providers.

The commissioner shall develop a process to certify family peer support specialist programs, in accordance with the federal guidelines, in order for the program to bill for reimbursable services. Family peer support programs must operate within an existing mental health community provider or center.

Subd. 5.Certified family peer specialist training and certification.

The commissioner shall develop a training and certification process for certified family peer specialists. The candidates must have raised or be currently raising a child with a mental illness, have had experience navigating the children's mental health system, and must demonstrate leadership and advocacy skills and a strong dedication to family-driven and family-focused services. The training curriculum must teach participating family peer specialists specific skills relevant to providing peer support to other parents. In addition to initial training and certification, the commissioner shall develop ongoing continuing educational workshops on pertinent issues related to family peer support counseling.

[See Note.]

History:

2013 c 108 art 4 s 15; 2017 c 79 s 5; 2021 c 30 art 17 s 52-54

NOTE: The amendments to subdivisions 1, 3, and 5, by Laws 2021, chapter 30, article 17, sections 52 to 54, are effective July 1, 2022, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. Laws 2021, chapter 30, article 17, section 114.

NOTE: Subdivision 2 is repealed by Laws 2021, chapter 30, article 17, section 113, effective July 1, 2022, or upon federal approval, whichever is later. The commissioner of human services shall notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained. Laws 2021, chapter 30, article 17, section 114.