LAC 46:XXV.705. Program Implementation

A. The board may utilize its discretionary authority to require or exclude specific components of this program for participants based upon determination of the nature and severity of the impairment. Participation in the Social Work Recovering Professional Program may consist of all or part of the following components. 1. The program participant is required to submit to an intake interview conducted by the RPP Manager and/or evaluation by a board recognized treatment provider relative to the impairment. a. If impairment is suspected to be related to addiction to drugs or alcohol, the evaluation is to be conducted by a team of professionals recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners. b. The format and content of this evaluation will meet the requirements designated by the board, but will at a minimum contain information concerning: i. previous inpatient/outpatient treatment episodes; ii. relapse history; iii. an assessment of the participant's psychosocial, physical and other needs relative to the impairment; iv. review of program participant’s Prescription Monitoring Record; v. observed urine, hair and blood testing for drugs and alcohol; vi. collateral information; and vii. recommendations for future treatment. c. The evaluation will be forwarded to the board or its designee by the treatment team completing the assessment, to be received no later than 30 days following the board's determination of the participant's potential eligibility or requirement to participate in the program. 2. The participant may be required to submit to ongoing monitoring for a period of up to five years. a. The beginning date of the monitoring period will be the date upon which a consent order or participation agreement is formally accepted and signed by the board, or the date of the board's official decision to require program participation in the event of an adjudication hearing. 3. During the monitoring period the social worker may be required to submit to random drug and/or alcohol screenings as determined appropriate by the RPP Manager, or other monitoring requirements which are pertinent and relative to the documented impairment. a. The interval, timing and details of the required screening will be directed by the RPP Manager. b. Results and reports of all screens for a minimum of the month prior will be submitted to the board or its designee during regularly scheduled board meetings. 4. Receipt of any positive, unexplained substance abuse/drug screen or reports of non-compliance or complications relative to the impairment during the monitoring period may result in suspension, or other appropriate action pertaining to the social worker's credential, or exclusion from the IPP, as determined appropriate by the board. 5. When the impairment is related to addiction, the social worker may be required to attend and participate in a Twelve Step recovery program, or an alternative mutual help program approved by the RPP Manager or the board. a. Verification of monthly attendance at required Twelve Step and support groups must be submitted to and received by the board or its designee in the manner, format and timeline stipulated in social worker’s participation agreement. 6. During the monitoring period the social worker may be required to participate in professional supervision with a board approved and designated LCSW at a frequency determined by the board for a period of time up to and including the entire five year period of monitoring. 7. In the event that a social worker relocates to another jurisdiction, the social worker will within five days of relocating be required to either enroll in the other jurisdiction's recovering professional program and have the reports required under that agreement sent to the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, or if the other jurisdiction has no recovering professional program, the social worker will notify the licensing board of that jurisdiction that the social worker is recovered and enrolled in the Louisiana Social Work Recovering Professional Program. Should the social worker fail to adhere to this requirement, in addition to being deemed in violation of the program requirements and corresponding consent order or adjudication, the social worker's social work credential will be suspended. 8. The social worker shall notify the board office by telephone within 48 hours and in writing within five working days of any changes of the social worker's home or work address, telephone number, employment status, employer and/or change in scope or nature of practice. The social worker may satisfy the notice by telephone requirement by leaving a voice message at the board office at times when the office is closed. 9. Other requirements for participation in the program may include but are not limited to limitations of social work practice. 10. The board, in addition to other conditions, may require that the social worker obtain regularly scheduled therapy (at a prescribed interval). 11. Notification of a violation of the terms or conditions of this agreement, consent order or adjudication order may result in the immediate suspension of the individual's social work credential to practice in the state of Louisiana. 12. The social worker shall be responsible for all costs incurred in complying with the terms of this agreement, including but not limited to therapy, assessments, supervision, drug/alcohol screens and reproduction of treatment or other records. 13. The social worker must submit to the board an appropriately notarized participation agreement indicating acceptance of the required conditions of participation in the Social Work Recovering Professional Program mandated by the board, along with all initial (or updated) releases or authorizations for the board or its designees to obtain information concerning the social worker's participation and progress in the program. This statement and the required releases and authorizations must be submitted prior to the issuance of any initial credential or re-issuance of a renewal of a credential. 14. The board will, to the full extent permissible under R.S. 44:4(26), maintain an agreement or consent order relating to the social worker's participation in the Social Work Impaired Professional Program as a confidential matter. The board retains the discretion to share information it deems necessary with those persons providing evaluation/assessment, therapy, treatment, supervision, monitoring or drug/alcohol testing or reports. Violation of any terms, conditions or requirements contained in any consent order, or board decision can result in a loss of the confidential status. B. The records of the RPP, including participation agreements and all information concerning participants, including assessments, evaluations, physical, mental or substance abuse evaluations and/or therapy and treatment records, monitoring logs, substance abuse/drug screens, attendance verification calendars and any other information received by the RPP in connection with a social worker’s participation in the program are within the custody and control of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners. Consistent with §705(A)(14), such records shall be maintained by the board on a confidential basis during the term of the social worker’s participation agreement and thereafter retained by the board for a period of not less than five years.