(a) Entities must ensure that services to individuals are age and culturally appropriate and are provided by staff within their scope of practice who have the following minimum knowledge, technical, and interpersonal competencies prior to providing services.
  (1) Knowledge competencies:
    (A) knowledge of the fact that psychiatric and substance use disorders are potentially recurrent relapsing disorders, and that although abstinence is the goal, relapses can be opportunities for learning and growth;
    (B) knowledge of the impact of substance use disorders on developmental, social, and physical growth and development of children and adolescents;
    (C) knowledge of interpersonal and family dynamics and their impact on individuals;
    (D) knowledge of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders and the relationship between psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders;
    (E) knowledge regarding the increased risks of self-harm, suicide, and violence in individuals;
    (F) knowledge of the elements of an integrated treatment plan and community support plan for individuals;
    (G) basic knowledge of pharmacology as it relates to individuals;
    (H) basic understanding of the neurophysiology of addiction;
    (I) basic knowledge of withdrawal symptoms and their potential risk factors to clients;
    (J) knowledge of the phases of recovery for individuals;
    (K) knowledge of the relationship between COPSD and Axis III disorders; and
    (L) basic knowledge of self-help in recovery.
  (2) Technical competencies:
    (A) ability to perform age-appropriate assessments of individuals; and
    (B) ability to formulate an individualized treatment plan and community support plan for individuals.
  (3) Interpersonal competencies:
    (A) ability to tailor interventions to the process of recovery for individuals;
    (B) ability to tailor interventions with readiness to change; and
    (C) ability to support individuals who choose to participate in 12-step recovery programs.
(b) Within 90 days of the effective date of this subchapter, entities must ensure that staff who provide services to individuals with COPSD, and who have not previously done so, have demonstrated the competencies described in subsection (a) of this section. These competencies may be evidenced by compliance with current licensure requirements of the governing or supervisory boards for the respective disciplines involved in serving individuals with COPSD or by documentation regarding the attainment of the competencies described in subsection (a) of this section. For unlicensed staff delivering these services, these competencies are evidenced by documentation regarding their attainment as required in subsection (a) of this section.

Source Note: The provisions of this §306.15 adopted to be effective September 7, 2003, 28 TexReg 7396; amended to be effective November 17, 2011, 36 TexReg 7669; transferred effective February 15, 2020, as published in the Texas Register January 17, 2020, 45 TexReg 467