Finding Text
CRITERIA: FS 397.417(3)(a) states the department shall designate managing entities to either conduct
peer specialist training or contract with a provider for peer specialist training. The training must be
approved by a third-party credentialing entity approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (b). The
managing entities must give preference to trainers who are certified peer specialists. FS 397.417(6) states
A peer specialist certified as of July 1, 2022, is deemed to satisfy the requirements of this section;
however, such peer specialists must comply with the minimum standards and requirements needed to
maintain certification established pursuant to subsection (3).
CAUSE: The entity is required to properly document the trainings in order to be certified as a peer
specialist. When inquiring management and reviewing findings from the managing entity, management
did not retain proper documentation a required training for Peer Staff.
CONDITION: When reviewing the personnel files and the prior year findings from the managing entity
review, a finding was issued for not having the required training. The training was only completed
subsequent to the year end.
EFFECT: Inefficiencies in the documentation could lead to internal and external risks, confidentiality,
and integrity of confidential data. Proper Management training should be documented to verify the
occurrence of training. Additionally, peers would not meet the required certifications to carry out their
tasks.
QUESTIONED COSTS: N/A
RECOMMENDATION: T&C recommends having the training completed on a periodic basis. Even
following up with the managing entity to ensure that they have all the training and what trainings are
taking place.