BackNew Home Care Licensure: A step in the right direction!
Article submitted by National Private Duty Association -Colorado Chapter. They can be reached through their website www.privatedutyhomecare.org
On June 5, 2008, Governor Bill Ritter signed the Colorado Home Care Licensure Act. Colorado was one of only five states where there was no oversight on services related to medical or non-medical services in the home. This new law places home care agencies under the supervision of the Department of Public Health and Environment. The bill states that, "In order to promote the public health and welfare of the people of Colorado, it is declared to be in the public interest to establish minimum standards and rules for the home care agencies in the state of Colorado...These standards and rules shall be sufficient to assure the health, safety, and welfare of home care consumers".
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Chapter of the National Private Duty Association and the Colorado Home Care Association along with many other interested parties all worked together in order to draft a licensure bill that would provide standards for both skilled home health care and personal care service providers. The Colorado Chapter of the National Private Duty Association (NPDA) membership consists of owners and operators of home care companies which predominately provide personal care services. According to Debbie Savage, President of the Colorado NPDA Chapter, "NPDA's mission is to enhance the strength and professionalism of private duty home care through education and best practices." Savage went on to say that, "Our concern is the safety and well being of our clients. In-home care agencies need to be held accountable..."
Home care agencies that provide skilled home health services must obtain their license by January 1, 2010 and home care agencies that provide non-skilled personal care services must obtain such license by January 1, 2011 in order to be compliant with the new law. Non-skilled home care agencies provide services such as meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and personal care.
Although the new law does not outline the specific rules for the operation of home care agencies and caregiver duties, there is a section devoted to the creation of minimum standards for agencies and rules they must follow in order to obtain and maintain a state license. These new standards must be completed by the State Board on or before May 1, 2009. These standards will address agency inspections, minimum educational requirements, the necessity for acquiring and maintaining liability insurance, and requirements for disclosure notices to be provided to consumers about the duties and employment status of caregivers. Most importantly, the act states that Home Care Agencies or Placement Agencies must require the person seeking employment or placement to submit to a criminal history record check.