(1) Each Qualified Organization must meet the requirements of Florida Statutes § 393.0663, this rule chapter, and the iBudget Handbook, and be approved by the Agency. A provider agency, as described in the iBudget Handbook, which provides support coordination services prior to the effective date of this rule must apply to and be approved by the Agency before it can be designated as a Qualified Organization.
    (2) Application for Approval. Any business entity that wishes to become a Qualified Organization must submit the following to the appropriate Regional Office, which will be known as the applicant’s Home Region:
    (a) A completed Qualified Organization Application, APD Form 65G-14.002 A, effective July 1, 2021, incorporated here by reference, and available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-12650;
    (b) A copy of the proposed code of ethics described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65G-14.0041;
    (c) A copy of the proposed disciplinary process described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65G-14.0042;
    (d) A copy of the proposed mentoring program described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65G-14.0043;
    (e) A copy of the proposed policies and procedures required by the iBudget Handbook for provider agencies;
    (f) A copy of each prospective Support Coordinator’s provider application as described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65G-4.0215, or Medicaid Waiver Services Agreement (“”MWSA””) for existing Support Coordinators; and
    (g) A table of organization, including at minimum: the first and last name, position title, contact information including phone number and email address, Medicaid provider number (if applicable), and indicate full or part-time employment for all directors, supervisors, owners, operators, managers, or any other position that directly oversees the operations of any Qualified Organization in the State of Florida or who provides support coordination services regardless of contractual relationship, including a designated mentor(s). The table must indicate in which region each individual operates. If the Qualified Organization operates in multiple regions, the table of organization must be organized by region and a point of contact must be designated for each region.
    (3) Qualified Organization Leadership.
    (a) Any directors, supervisors, owners, operators, and managers who directly oversee the operations of any Qualified Organization in the State of Florida must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience providing services to persons with developmental disabilities, regardless of whether that individual is an active Support Coordinator.
    (b) Any directors, supervisors, owners, operators, and managers who directly oversee the operations of any Qualified Organization in the State of Florida must complete the Level 1 Training described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65G-10.004, regardless of whether they are Support Coordinators.
    (c) Any directors, supervisors, operators, and managers who directly oversee Support Coordinators in the State of Florida must attend a minimum of six (6) monthly support coordinator meetings with Agency staff each year. These meetings can be attended in any region, although directors, supervisors, operators, and managers who directly oversee Support Coordinators in particular regions must attend at least one meeting in that region or regions each year.
    (4) Approval, Denial, or Closure of Applications.
    (a) The Agency will review the application and approve or deny complete applications within 90 days of receipt. The Agency will close incomplete applications and notify the applicant that it was closed because it was incomplete.
    (b) The Agency will only consider complete applications that include all required information and meet the requirements delineated in this chapter, the iBudget Handbook, and Florida Statutes § 393.0663 An application is complete upon the Agency’s receipt of all requested information and correction of any error or omission for which the applicant was notified.
    (c) If the Agency receives an incomplete application, the Agency will notify the applicant within 30 days of receipt. The applicant will have up to 45 calendar days from the date of the notice to submit the documentation, information, or make any corrections designated in the notice. If the applicant does not complete the application within 45 days of the notice, the application must be closed by the Agency. After an application is closed, all documentation and information submitted will no longer be considered, and a new complete application must be submitted for consideration by the Agency. The closure of an application is not Agency action. The closure of an application will not be considered substantively by the Agency in any subsequent application.
    (5) If the Qualified Organization intends to operate in multiple Regions, the applicant must indicate such in the application. The region in which the applicant submits the application will be considered the applicant’s Home Region, which must be a region in which it provides services.
    (6) A Qualified Organization that wishes to expand service provision geographically must comply with Fl. Admin. Code R. 65G-4.0215
    (7)(a) Each Qualified Organization may only hire a Support Coordinator as an employee pursuant to this paragraph and Section 393.0663(1) and (2), F.S., and not as an independent contractor.
    (b) Each Qualified Organization must employ a minimum of four Support Coordinators at all times except as described in paragraph (c) of this rule.
    (c) If a Qualified Organization should be reduced to employing less than four Support Coordinators, the Qualified Organization has a maximum of 90 days to re-establish a minimum employment of four. For purposes of this rule, mentees count towards the minimum of four Support Coordinators.
    (8) Failure to demonstrate compliance with Florida Statutes § 393.0663, this rule chapter, and the iBudget Handbook shall result in disciplinary action as described in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65G-14.005
    (9) If a Qualified Organization does not provide any Agency approved support coordinator or consultant services under the Waiver for 180 consecutive days, then it shall no longer be recognized as a Qualified Organization under Florida Statutes § 393.0663
    (10) This rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective date.
Rulemaking Authority 393.0662, 393.0663, 393.501 FS. Law Implemented 393.063, 393.0662, 393.0663 FS. History-New 7-1-21, Amended 10-25-22.