I have found that some of the most effective and competent supervisory staff have not had a 4 year degree. I think limiting who can supervise direct service staff is not in the best interests of the people served, or the agencies that serve them.
I would suggest and support the following criteria: education or a combination of education and experience equal to the educational requirement.
Proposed revision to include equivalency language:
MR/ID
Supervision of employees, volunteers, contractors and student interns who provide supports for individuals with mental retardation (intellectual disability) shall be provided by a person with at least one year of documented experience working directly with individuals who have mental retardation (intellectual disability) or other developmental disabilities and holds at least a bachelor's degree in a human services field including but not limited to sociology, social work, special education, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, or psychology or an employee with a combination of education and experience equivalent to the educational requirement.
DD
Supervision of employees, volunteers, contractors and student interns who provide supports for individuals with developmental disabilities shall be provided by a person possessing at least one year of documented experience working directly with individuals who have related conditions and is one of the following: a doctor of medicine or osteopathy; a registered nurse; or a person holding at least a bachelor's degree in a human service field including but not limited to sociology, social work, special education, rehabilitation counseling, or psychology or an employee with combination of education and experience equivalent to the educational requirement.
