Certification for Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners – What Should I Know?

1. Certification for Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners – What Should I Know? Krystal Holland, CRCCPA, BCRCCPP Board Chair National Center for Children and Families Administrator

2. Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals Board appointed in 2005 Funded by General Fund in 2007 2007: SB 177 – required DJS, DHR, DHMH, GOC to develop a process and standards for certification of child care staff In 2008, report issued by the Children’s Cabinet (which is made up of the Secretaries of DHR, DOD, DJS, DHMH, DBM, the State Superintendent of MSDE, and the executive director of GOC)recommending professionalizing the role 2008: SB 783 required certification of RCYCP’s by 2013 2010: regulations adopted for certification of RCYCP’s 2010: SB 576 extended certification of RCYCP’s by 2015

3. Senate Bill 576 • All Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners employed in the State of Maryland will be certified on or before October 1, 2015 unless • Maryland School for the Blind employee who works as RCYCP and holds a current paraprofessional certificate

4. Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals State Board’s Vision… The State of Maryland will provide qualified residential child care professionals to further the well-being of children living in Maryland’s residential child care programs.

5. Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals The Board is mandated to protect children living in residential child care programs through various activities which include: Certify qualified residential child care program administrators (RCCPAs) and residential child and youth care practitioners (RCYCPs) Maintain current roster of all certified individuals Promulgate regulations Verify credentials Investigate complaints based on alleged violations of regulations and statutes Formal and informal discipline of certified individuals

6. Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals Membership • 12 members • 6 members appointed by Secretaries of various State agencies • 6 appointed by Governor with advice of DHMH’s Secretary • 3 members are program administrators • 1 member is a child care worker • 2 members are consumers • Members serve 4 year terms • Board Staff: • Maxine Galloway, ActingExecutive Director • Gwendolyn Joyner, DeputyDirector • Ena Mendez, Licensing Coordinator • Carla Boyd, Assistant Attorney General • David Bruce, Investigator

7. Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals Current Membership • DorenzerThomas, Roberta’s House, Certified Residential Child Care Program Administrator • Karen Powell, Maryland State Department of Education • Sonya White Norman, Department of Juvenile Services • Christian Miele, Department of Disabilities • Brady Daniels, Consumer • Paula Regan, Consumer Krystal Holland, Chair, NCCF, Certified Residential Child Care Program Administrator Janet Furman, Vice Chair, Developmental Disabilities Administration Nicole Smith, Secretary, Board of Child Care, Certified Residential Child Care Program Administrator VACANT, Residential Child & Youth Care Practitioner Robin Harvey, Department of Human Resources Caroline Jones, Behavioral Health Administration

8. RCYCP Eligibility Effective October 1, 2015, all employees have 180 days from date of hire to become certified as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner.  How do I know if I need to become certified as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner? Individuals who are assigned to perform the direct care responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program licensed by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Department of Juvenile Services or the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

9. RCYCP Certification Child and Youth Care workers can not work unsupervised with children until they are certified. What happens if my application is not completed within 180 days of hire? Application will be administratively closed and applicant must reapply by completing a new application and submitting fee. Where can I find documents and details on the certification process? https://health.maryland.gov/crccp/Pages/Index.aspx

10. RCYCP Application Process A complete file includes: Certification Application $50.00 Application Fee Completion of On-Site Program Orientation Form Child Protective Services (CPS) Background Clearance results State & Federal background check (CJIS report) + 3 Privacy Rights Forms Education Requirements Completion of Online RCYCP Training RCYCP Final Exam

11. RCYCP Application Process The Certification Application Form: $50 fee must accompany application in form of a check or money order, payable to “BCRCCP” Incomplete forms subject to additional processing fee. Write “n/a” on sections that do not apply Must be notarized and contain a passport size photo False information may be grounds for denial of certification Notify Board of any name changes due to marriages or divorces Third-party Release allows the Board to provide information to this party regarding the applicant

12. RCYCP Application Process Education: • Copy of high school diploma or official college transcripts(sealed in the envelope from the school) • Notify Board of a maiden name if on transcript • If completed high school education outside of Country, contact Licensing Coordinator or Deputy Director • College degrees earned out of the country can be verified through • World Education Services • http://www.wes.org/ • International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. • icd@icdel.com

13. RCYCP Application Process Child Protective Services Clearances/Consent for Release of Information: • Mail directly to applicant’s local Department of Human Services (DHS) office located in their county/city of residence • Local DHS office address information is located on Board’s website under “CPS CLEARANCE CONTACTS” • DO NOT MAIL ORIGINAL REQUEST TO THE BOARD • MAKE SURE REQUEST IS COMPLETELY FILLED OUT • Usually takes a minimum of 30-45 days to process • Results must come directly from the local Department of Social Services

14. RCYCP Application Process State and Federal Background Checks/CJIS: • Use Board of Residential Child Care’s Livescanform which contains Board’s authorization & ORI number. If not, results will NOT BE RECEIVED by Board • If history of arrests/convictions, attach the following for each charge: • original written and signed explanation (cannot be faxed or emailed) • true test copies • court record and final disposition 3 Privacy Rights forms: • Must be signed and dated. The forms are: • Applicant Record Notification • Federal Privacy Act • Noncriminal Justice Privacy Rights

15. RCYCP Online Training Program Begin FREE Online RCYCP Training Program at any point Available on University of Maryland Institute for Innovations and Implementationwebsite at https://theinstitute.umaryland.edu/training/ CREATE ONE PROFILE PER APPLICANT Problems signing in, contact help desk theinstitute@ssw.umaryland.edu Profile provides access to the RCYCP training modules , RCYCP final exam, and many other online trainings

16. RCYCP Online Training Program • RCYCP training modules can be used to study for the final exam. (Study guide on Board website) • Work at your own pace! • Forward Certificate of Completion to the Board • Final exam cannot be scheduled if applicant has not created a profile

17. RCYCP Online Training Program • Curriculum based on core competencies and consists of 7 modules • Introduction to Residential Child and Youth Care Work • Child and Adolescent Development • Effective Communication Skills • Life Skills Development • Legal and Ethical Issues in Residential Care • Standards of Health and Safety • Trauma • 20 training hours

18. On Site Program Orientation 10 hours of orientation hours to include: Agency/Program Policies and Procedures Organizational Culture Professional Boundaries Job Shadowing Verified by Certified Program Administrator at program site

19. RCYCP Comprehensive Examination APPLICANT WILL NOT BE SCHEDULED FOR THE EXAM UNTIL THE FILE IS COMPLETE Exams take place during normal business hours; between 8:00 AM and 2:45 PM start times Web based 100 question examination Passing score of 75% If fail , can re-take once on same day; can re- take as necessary within 180 days of hire Must pass test within 180 days of hire

20. RCYCP Comprehensive Examination • Exams held at the Board’s office, 4201 Patterson Ave, Baltimore, on specific dates. Dates are posted on the Board’s webpage • https://health.maryland.gov/crccp/Pages/index.aspx • Exams are scheduled through the Board’s Licensing Coordinator. Contact Licensing Coordinator at least 5 days prior to a scheduled exam date

21. RCYCP Comprehensive Examination Private Provider agencies that have been approved by the Board may proctor the exam at their facility To access the exam, a password is required. This password is generated by the Licensing Coordinator and forwarded to the exam proctor Password given are only valid for the set date and time of the exam

22. RCYCP Re-Certification When do I renew my certificate? • A certified Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner (“CRCYCP”) must renew their certificate every 2 years.  (COMAR 10.57.03.09) What do I need to renew my certification? Submit the following documentation to State Board: • Completed renewal application • The renewal fee of $50.00 • Evidence of completion of 20 continuing education units • Consent for Release of Information • Evidence of Child Protective Services Clearance • State and National criminal history records check

23. RCYCP Re-Instatement What are the requirements for reinstatement if I fail to renew my certification on time? • The Board shall reinstate the certificate of a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner who has failed to renew the certificate for any reason, if the individual: • Has not had the certificate revoked or suspended for any reason • Applies for reinstatement within 5 years after the certificate expires.  (COMAR 10.56.7.03.10) • Meets the renewal requirements of §20-310; • Pays the reinstatement fee set by the Board; and, • Submits evidence of: • Completion of 20 continuing education units within the last 2 years; • Completed State and National criminal history background check; and, • Completed Child Protective Services Clearance.

24. Please mail application and documents to: Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals 4201 Patterson Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21215-2299 Board website: http://dhmh.maryland.gov/crccp/SitePages/Home.aspx State Board Contact: • Gwendolyn A. Joyner, Deputy Executive Director • Phone:410-764-5996 • Fax: 410-358-5674 • Gwendolyn.Joyner@maryland.gov

25. RCYCP’s are required by law to be certified within 180 days from hire date. This requires all applicants to pass the RCYCP final exam within the 180 days period. Applications sent in after or close to the end of the 180 day period CAN NOT be expedited Questions?