§3387.13. Prevention services assistant

A. A prevention services assistant is a paraprofessional who serves in a supportive role within the prevention process. The prevention services assistant shall be supervised in a manner prescribed by the department.

B. The department shall develop policies and guidelines for prevention services assistants in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.

C. Any person seeking to be recognized by the department as a prevention services assistant shall submit an application to the department on a form and in a manner as the department shall prescribe. The application shall be signed by the candidate and, in the case of a minor shall be signed by at least one parent, or legal guardian of a candidate in the case of an unemancipated minor. The initial application form shall be accompanied by an initial application fee of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.

D. Upon investigation of the application, the department shall, within thirty days, notify each candidate that the application is satisfactory and accepted or unsatisfactory and rejected. If accepted, the status of prevention services assistant shall be valid for a period of one year. The fee for renewal shall be not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars. If an application is rejected, the notice shall state the reason for such rejection.

E. The department shall recognize as a prevention services assistant each candidate who:

(1) Is a legal resident of the United States and at least sixteen years of age on the date the application is received.

(2) Is not in violation of any ethical standards subscribed to by the department.

(3) Has not been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or a plea of nolo contendere to a felony. However, the department may, in its discretion, waive this requirement upon review of the individual's circumstances. Each candidate shall provide the department with a certified criminal history.

(4) Signs a form of professional and ethical accountability and responsibility as prescribed by the department.

(5) Provides three letters of recommendation as prescribed by the department.

Acts 2006, No. 427, §2; Acts 2018, No. 206, §3.