Section 22: Standards for a certified training program for schools; certifying documentation; review of certifying documentation; evaluation of the integrity and efficacy of training programs; preparation, publishing, dissemination and annual update a list of certified schools

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Section 22.

(a)As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

''Certified school'', a school certified by the department pursuant to subsection (c).

''Certified training program'', a training program certified by the department pursuant to subsection (b).

''Operation House Call'', a program developed by the Arc of Massachusetts that teaches health care professionals skills to enhance the treatment and care of persons with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.

''School'', an accredited institution of higher education that provides a course of study for students in:

(i)health care, including, but not limited to, medical schools, nursing schools and dental schools; or

(ii)other related fields, including, but not limited to, physician assistants, dieticians, nutritionists, physical therapists, dental hygienists, allied mental health and human services professionals.

''Training program'', training for students that focuses on instruction and best practices for the treatment and care of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including, but not limited to, autism spectrum disorders.

(b)The department, in consultation with the department of developmental services and the Arc of Massachusetts, shall establish standards for a certified training program for schools. A training program, to be certified by the department as a certified training program, shall:

(i)be modeled on Operation House Call;

(ii)be offered by schools to participating students on a voluntary basis separate from the students' required course of study; and

(iii)maintain recognized standards and practices that provide instruction to students that:

(A)uphold industry standards for instructing students pursuing a health care profession on best practices for the treatment and care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including, but not limited to, autism spectrum disorders; and

(B)include not less than 6 hours of training consisting of didactic classroom instruction, experiential learning and online learning.

(c)The department shall certify that a school offers a certified training program, as described in subsection (b), upon receipt and review of documentation demonstrating that:

(i)the school has successfully delivered the training program to a sufficient number of participating students, as mutually agreed upon by the school and the provider of the training; and

(ii)the training program meets the minimum standards and practices pursuant to subsection (b).

(d)The director of the bureau of family health and nutrition shall periodically evaluate the integrity and efficacy of the training programs offered at schools seeking certification.

(e)The department shall prepare, publish, disseminate and annually update a list of certified schools. The list of certified schools shall be published in a location that is accessible to prospective students seeking to apply to attend a school in a health care or related field.