22VAC30-30-160: Staff

A. The majority of the center for independent living (CIL) staff and individuals with decision-making positions shall be individuals with disabilities.

B. The staff of the service provider shall include personnel who are specialists in the development and provision of IL services and in the development and support of centers.

C. CILs shall meet all relevant licensure, certification, bonding, and insurance requirements of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

D. To the maximum extent feasible, the service provider must make available personnel able to communicate (i) with individuals with significant disabilities who rely on alternative modes of communication, such as manual communication, nonverbal communication devices, Braille, or audio tapes, and who apply for or receive IL services under Title VII of the Act, and (ii) in the native languages of individuals with significant disabilities whose English proficiency is limited and who apply for or receive IL services under Title VII of the Act.

E. Staff at centers will receive training on how to serve unserved and underserved populations, including minority groups and urban and rural populations.

F. The service provider shall establish and maintain a program of staff development for all classes of positions involved in providing IL services and, if appropriate, in administering the CIL program. The staff development program must emphasize improving the skills of staff directly responsible for the provision of IL services, including knowledge of and practice in the IL philosophy.