Vermont

Residential assisted living licensing rules and official state resources

Licensure term: Residential Care Homes
Resident capacity: 6-16 (must be approved during licensing)
Staff ratios: There shall be sufficient number of qualified personnel available at all times to provide necessary care, to maintain a safe and healthy environment, and to assure prompt, appropriate action in cases of injury, illness, fire or other emergencies.
Cost of licensing: Call for licensure costs (802-871-3333)
Bedroom square footage: Each bedroom shall have at least 100 square feet of useable floor space in single rooms and at least 80 square feet per bed in double-bed rooms, exclusive of toilets, closets, lockers, wardrobes, alcoves or vestibules. These specifications may be waived for beds licensed prior to the adoption of the 1987 regulations.
Memory care: “Special Care Units”:

Full requirements

Regulatory Agency: Vermont Agency of Human Services - Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
Contact Phone Number: 802-241-0480 Suzanne Leavitt
Licensure Term(s): Residential Care Homes
Census Requirements: 6-16 (must be approved during licensing)
Qualifications for Managers: Manager must have: 1. Associate degree or 2 years administrative experience in adult residential care, must have 3 years of general experience in residential care, including one year in management, supervisory, or admin capacity. Must have a Vermont license as a nurse or nursing home admin or other professional qualifications and experiences related to the provision of healthcare services or management of healthcare facilities including but not limited to that of a licensed or certified social worker. Must do 20 hours of continuing education per year. The home/residence must employ a manager--however named-- who works in the facility an average of 32 hours per week and is responsible for its daily management, including supervision of employees and residents. The manager must not leave the premises without delegating necessary authority to a competent staff person qualified by experience to carry out the manager’s responsibilities, including being sufficiently familiar with residents’ needs to ensure that their needs are met in a safe environment. Staff left in charge must be fully authorized to take necessary action to meet residents’ needs or be able to contact the manager immediately if necessary. The home/residence must have a registered nurse on staff, or a written agreement with an RN or home health agency, to provide required nursing services and to delegate related appropriate nursing care to qualified staff. A home/residence that provides Medicaid services must designate a staff person responsible for providing the following case management services at a minimum: maintenance and implementation of a current assessment and plan of care, and coordination of available community services.
Qualifications for Caregivers: Direct care staff must be sufficient in number to meet the needs of the residents. Staff must have access to an administrator or designee at all times. An RN or LPN must supervise care plans and direct care staff must be present 24 hours a day. All staff must be at least 18 years old and receive continuing education in a variety of areas. The administrator must meet certain education and/or training standards and complete an additional 20 hours of continuing education a year.
Staff Ratios: There shall be sufficient number of qualified personnel available at all times to provide necessary care, to maintain a safe and healthy environment, and to assure prompt, appropriate action in cases of injury, illness, fire or other emergencies.
Cost of Licensing: Call for licensure costs (802-871-3333)
Square Footage Requirements: Each bedroom shall have at least 100 square feet of useable floor space in single rooms and at least 80 square feet per bed in double-bed rooms, exclusive of toilets, closets, lockers, wardrobes, alcoves or vestibules. These specifications may be waived for beds licensed prior to the adoption of the 1987 regulations.
Bathrooms Required: There shall be a minimum of one (1) bath unit, toilet and lavatory sink, exclusively available to residents, per eight (8) licensed beds per floor. Licensed beds having private lavatory facilities are not included in this ratio.