The California Department of Health issued a new All Facilities Letter (AFL) effective April 1, 2020, updating the definition of "social worker" and the services they can provide. The updated definition now includes individuals with a Master of Social Work degree from an accredited school and one year of experience in a healthcare setting. For Adult Day Health Centers, the definition also includes those with a master's degree in psychology, gerontology, or counseling, or a bachelor's degree in social work. The updated regulations specify that unlicensed social workers can only provide services for which no license is required. Healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, must update their policies and procedures to comply with these changes. Failure to comply may result in penalties or other consequences.

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