September 23, 2013
ALTSA: ICF/IID 2013-005
TERMINOLOGY USED IN THE INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES (ICF/IID) PROGRAM
Dear ICF/IID Administrator/Superintendent:
Rosa's Law passed on October 5, 2010 mandated that all references to "mental retardation" in Federal laws must be replaced with the term "intellectual disabilities" and all references to a "mentally retarded individual" must be replaced with the term "individual with intellectual disabilities." These changes were codified in Federal regulation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 16, 2012.
42 CFR 483.430(a) requires each client's active treatment program to be integrated, coordinated, and monitored by a qualified mental retardation professional (QMRP). Reference to the term "qualified mental retardation professional" has been changed to "qualified intellectual disabilities professional" (QIDP).
The department recently sent a letter #2013-004 informing you of plans to amend Chapter 388-111 WAC, Residential Habilitation Centers – Compliance Standards to comply with this change to Federal law (see CR-101 (WSR 13-15-111)).
State documents used by the department in the regulation and inspection process for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) have been or will be updated to comply with the revised federal law.
Federal forms with the new terminology will be used by the department as the revised forms become available.
If you have questions please contact Robert McClintock, Quality Assurance Administrator at McCliR@dshs.wa.gov or (360) 725-2419.
Sincerely,
E. Irene Owens, Interim Director
Residential Care Services