911 KAR 2:150. Kentucky Early Intervention Program personnel qualifications.

911 KAR 2:150. Kentucky Early Intervention Program personnel qualifications.

RELATES TO: 20 U.S.C. 1471-1485

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 194A.050, 200.650-676, EO 2004-726

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: EO 2004-726, effective July 9, 2004, reorganized the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and placed the Department for Public Health under the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. KRS 200.660 requires the cabinet to administer all funds appropriated to implement provisions, to enter into contracts with service providers, and to promulgate administrative regulations. This administrative regulation sets forth the provisions of personnel qualifications as they relate to First Steps, Kentucky's Early Intervention Program.

Section 1. Personnel. (1) Minimal qualifications for professionals or disciplines providing services in First Steps shall be:

(a) An audiologist shall have in accordance with KRS 334A.030:

1. A master's degree; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

(b) A family therapist shall have in accordance with KRS 335.300:

1. A master's degree; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Licensure of Marriage and Family Therapists.

1. A bachelor's degree; and

2.a. An interdisciplinary early childhood education (IECE) certificate by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board, Division of Certification;

b. Be working toward the IECE certificate by:

(i) Being enrolled in an approved preparation program in IECE at a university or college; or

(ii) Having an individual professional development plan approved by the Department for Public Health for developing the skills in the teacher performance standards for IECE as stated in 16 KAR 2:040, Section 9; or

c. Hold a valid out-of-state certificate for the teacher of children ages' birth to three (3) years with disabilities.

(d) A nurse shall have in accordance with KRS 314.041:

1. An associate degree or diploma from a registered program; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

(e) A nutritionist shall have in accordance with KRS 310.031:

1. A master's degree; and

2. A certificate from the Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists.

(f) A dietitian shall have in accordance with KRS 310.021:

1. A bachelor's degree; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Licensure and Certification for Dietitians and Nutritionists.

(g) An occupational therapist shall have in accordance with KRS 319A.110:

1. A bachelor's degree; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy.

(h) An orientation and mobility (O and M) specialist shall have in accordance with KRS 161.020 and with the Division of Exceptional Children Services, Kentucky Department of Education a bachelor's degree in Special Education with emphasis on visual impairment and O and M,.

(i) A physician shall have in accordance with KRS 311.571:

1. A doctor of medicine degree or doctor of osteopathy degree; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.

(j) A physical therapist shall have in accordance with KRS 327.020:

1. Bachelor's degree; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy.

(k) A psychologist shall have in accordance with KRS 319.032:

1. A doctoral degree; and

2. A license from Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology.

(l) A certified psychologist with autonomous functioning or licensed psychological associate shall have in accordance with KRS 319.056 or 319.064:

1. A master's degree; and

2. A certificate from the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology.

(m) A social worker shall have in accordance with KRS 335.090:

1. A bachelor's degree; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Social Work.

(n) A speech-language pathologist shall have in accordance with KRS 334A.050:

1. A master's degree; and

2.a. A license from the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; or

b. An interim license from the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and be under the supervision of a currently-enrolled First Steps speech pathology provider.

(o) A teacher of children who are deaf and hard of hearing shall have in accordance with KRS 161.030:

1. A bachelor's degree; and

2. A certificate for teaching the hard of hearing, deaf, or hearing impaired, or a certificate for teaching the hearing impaired, grades P-12, K-12 issued by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board, Division of Certification.

(p) A teacher of the visually impaired shall have in accordance with KRS 161.030:

1. A bachelor's degree; and

2. A certificate for teaching of the visually impaired, grades P-12, or a certificate for teaching the partially seeing, blind, or visually impaired, K-12 issued by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board, Division of Certification.

(2) The qualification for paraprofessionals providing early interventions services shall be:

(a) A developmental associate shall:

1.a. Have an associate degree in the area of early childhood;

b. Have a child development associate certificate for infant and toddlers caregiver or home visitor;

c. Have a postsecondary vocational education diploma in child development or child care; or

d. Be employed in the developmental associate role in an approved program by October 1, 1997, and have a high school diploma or GED and be working toward one (1) of the qualifications stated in clauses a, b, or c of this subparagraph by:

(i) Being enrolled in an approved program granting one (1) of the above stated qualifications; or

(ii) Having an individual professional development plan approved by the Department for Public Health for developing the skills necessary to acquire one (1) of the above stated qualifications; and

2. Be indirectly supervised by a developmental interventionist.

(b) A developmental assistant shall:

1. Have:

a. A high school diploma; or

b. A GED; and

2. Be directly supervised by a developmental interventionist or developmental associate.

1. An OTA degree; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy.

(d) A physical therapy assistant shall have in accordance with KRS 327.040(13):

1. An associate degree in physical therapy assistance; and

2. A license from the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy.

(e) A licensed practical nurse shall have in accordance with KRS 314.051:

1. A high school diploma or a GED;

2. Have completed a state approved LPN education program; and

3. A license from the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

(3) The qualifications for recognized service positions providing services in First Steps shall be:

(a) An initial service coordinator shall be approved by the cabinet based on the following qualifications:

1. Meeting minimum highest entry-level requirement for one (1) of the professions delineated in this administrative regulation; or

2. Have a bachelor's degree and the equivalency of two (2) years' experience in working with young children ages birth through five (5) years in a position in which the following skills and competencies have been demonstrated:

a. Communication skills in interviewing, negotiating and mediating, and providing informal support;

b. Problem-solving by finding and utilizing services and resources, resolving conflicts, integrating services using formal and informal channels, and enabling families to use problem-solving;

c. Organization by maintaining accurate data collection and resource information, exhibiting flexibility in scheduling, and developing plans; and

d. Collaboration and leadership through developing relationships with families, enabling families to develop their decision-making skills, and establishing collaborative relationships with service providers.

(b) A primary service coordinator shall be approved by the cabinet based on the following qualifications:

1. Meeting minimum highest entry-level requirements for one (1) of the professions delineated in this administrative regulation;

2. Meeting requirements for one (1) of the paraprofessionals delineated in this administrative regulation; or

3. Having a bachelor's degree and the equivalency of two (2) years' experience in working with young children ages birth through five (5) years in a position in which the following skills and competencies have been demonstrated:

a. Communication skills in interviewing, negotiating and mediating, and providing informal support;

b. Problem-solving: finding and utilizing services and resources, resolving conflicts, integrating services using formal and informal channels, and enabling families to use problem-solving;

c. Organization by maintaining accurate data collection and resource information, exhibiting flexibility in scheduling, and developing plans; and

1. Meeting minimum highest entry-level requirements for one (1) of the professionals delineated in this administrative regulation;

2. Having a bachelor's degree in a related field;

3. Having two (2) years experience working directly with young children birth through two (2) years of age, including children with disabilities or atypical development; and

4. Having had one (1) year of experience in using standardized instruments and procedures to evaluate infants and toddlers birth through two (2) years of age, completed as part of formal training or in supervised practice, or completing a mentorship during the first year of providing services in First Steps as approved by the cabinet.

(d) An assistive technology specialists shall be approved by the cabinet based on the following qualifications:

1. Meeting minimum highest entry-level requirements for one (1) of the professions delineated in this administrative regulation;

2. Having extensive knowledge, training, and experience in the field of assistive technologies for infants and toddlers with disabilities; or

3. Meeting the qualifications in subparagraph 2 of this paragraph and be employed by an agency that currently provides assistive technology services in First Steps, and be approved by the cabinet.

(e) A respite provider shall:

1. Meet all license, administrative regulations, and other requirements applicable to the setting in which respite is provided; and

2. Be approved by the individualized family service planning team.

Section 2. Field Experiences - Intervention Implemented by a Student. Students may provide therapeutic intervention under the direct supervision of personnel employed in accordance with Section 1 of this administrative regulation. (23 Ky.R. 3142; Am. 3860; eff. 6-16-97; recodified from 908 KAR 2:150, 10-25-2001; 31 Ky.R. 499; 1280; eff. 1-19-05.)