The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s (DBH) – Background Check Waiver provides an opportunity for individuals who are unable to pass a criminal history background check to request a waiver that would allow them to work, train or intern as a Certified Recovery Coach (CRC), Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), or Family Support Partner (FSP). And, their services will be reimbursed if their agency or provider is within DBH networks.
Medicaid Variant
Additionally, Medicaid will honor DBH background check waivers for approved CRCs and CPSSs whose agency or provider is within the Medicaid network, providing reimbursement for their services. This is referred to as the Medicaid Variant. It should be noted that the Medicaid Variant will not cover Family Support Partners. Thus, it will not reimburse for their services, even though the DBH waiver will.
Here at Empower Idaho, we applaud this waiver. Studies and research show that Peer Support for Behavioral Health improves anxiety, depression and functioning, psychotic symptoms, and overall mental health significantly. For individuals in recovery, peer support offers shared understanding, respect and mutual empowerment. This facilitates the recovery process and reduces the possibility of relapse. Peer support builds hope for healing resulting in improved quality of life.
According to Psychiatry Advisor, “It is a win-win situation if those in recovery are trained and hired to provide peer support to those currently struggling mentally. The client receives support from peers who can model self-care and help them navigate the health care system, while the peer counselors are gainfully employed in a job that supports their own recovery by providing meaningful work.”
Peer Support Conferences
Empower Idaho invests in Peer Support professionals by providing three Peer Support Conferences annually. Participation in these trainings is consistently high. Many of the presenters are in recovery and/or have lived with mental illness themselves. These conferences score high marks from attendees for their content and usefulness.
Waiver Application Process
There is no fee for the waiver, however, applicants must be denied by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare – Criminal History Unit (CHU) which does require a fee. Learn more at the CHU website.
The waiver application review process may take up to 45 days. Applicants must be associated with an agency or in a training program to obtain certification. Waivers can be transferred, in a separate application process, to a new employer or agency. When an applicant applies for the waiver, it will be approved for the network(s) with which the agency or provider is affiliated, DBH and/or Medicaid.