Services

Screening - the mental health needs and substance use patterns of the individual are evaluated and the status of the individual is determined.

Comprehensive Assessment - provided after the initial mental health/substance abuse screening.   If the needs of the individual are complex, the assessment may involve multi-agency evaluations that examine the overall needs (life domains) of the individual.   As part of this service, an individualized treatment plan must be written and approved by the participating agencies and the consumer.

Intake Assessment - evaluation of an individual upon admission to services, updated periodically during treatment to assess and document mental status, social and medical history, the presenting problem and related symptom, strengths and resources, and service needs.

Psychiatric Assessment - a systematic evaluation of a recipient to determine symptom patterns, establish a diagnosis, and prescribe needed treatments.

Individual Psychotherapy - counseling to help an individual with a behavioral health problem performed by a qualified professional.

Group Psychotherapy - therapeutic counseling delivered in a group setting to two or more unrelated consumers.

Family Psychotherapy - the recipient and family members attend a therapy session together for the treatment of relationships within the family or household.

Crisis Intervention - short-term behavioral health services provided to a recipient during an acute episode of a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder.   Services are provided during a brief psychiatric emergency of no more than 72 hours and are intended to reduce symptoms, prevent harm, prevent further deterioration, and stabilize the recipient.

Functional Assessment - a systematic evaluation of a recipient to assess functioning in the areas of living skills, learning, education, work, interpersonal skills, and other life skills necessary for independent living.

Case Management - a behavioral health rehabilitation service provided to assist a recipient and a recipient's family to access and coordinate needed medical, psychiatric, mental health, educational, vocational, social supports and community-based services, related assessments and post-discharge follow up activities.

Individual Skill Development - face-to-face therapeutic self-care and life skill instruction, practice, and monitoring provided individually.

Group Skill Development - face-to-face therapeutic skill instruction, skill practice, and skill monitoring, offered in a group setting to help the recipient improve self care, self direction, and communication or social interaction skills.

Family Skill Development - face-to-face therapeutic skill instruction, practice and monitoring that is provided to a recipient and family members to teach more effective ways to impact the recipient's symptoms and inappropriate behavior.

Recipient Support Services - face-to-face counseling to provide structure, supervision, and monitoring necessary to maintain and protect a recipient with a severe emotional disturbance within the home, work, school and community and to prevent harm to the recipient and to others

Identification and Outreach - Because many individuals with severe behavioral health issues do not seek services, it is essential to identify clients and inform them of available services.   Referral protocols with various agencies help to facilitate identification of clients; in addition, case managers, when necessary, are expected to visit potential clients at their place of residence, senior centers, community centers, or places of treatment for substance use.   Effective outreach is particularly critical for persons who are homeless and have a severe mental illness.   Because these individuals are among the least able to find agencies, programs, and resources on their own, outreach must extend to nontraditional settings such as shelters, soup kitchens, drop-in centers, or on the streets, and must continue in non-threatening ways for extended periods of time.   Active outreach is highly correlated with reduced recidivism rates.

Medication Management - clients are evaluated for appropriateness of psychotropic medication.   Ensures that appropriate medication is prescribed and monitored on an ongoing basis for symptom and side effect control and for compliance with medication regime.   The recipient is informed about the illness, any effects of medication, and treatment options.

Vocational Rehabilitation - a range of vocational services and employment opportunities that are available to assist clients to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.

Community Education - Community education informs consumers, supporters, and the public about the nature of mental illness/substance use disorders, counsels on appropriate techniques for dealing with day-to-day problems and crisis situations, and provides the opportunity to participate in family support groups and advocacy organizations.