Program Description
Intake and Assessment
Program Description:
Our Intake and Assessment Department provides a single point of entry into our agency. Perspective clients are linked to staff to conduct a screening when outpatient services are requested. Staff facilitate a welcoming atmosphere and provide support and hope as a person initiates treatment. Persons served are welcomed in an empathic, non-judgmental manner. Persons presenting with co-occurring issues, trauma issues, and/or those requiring culturally specific services are screened and given information at this juncture. A tour is often provided to familiarize perspective clients with our agency. The screening staff will determine eligibility for services based on clinical need, level of functioning, and income guidelines.
When eligibility has been determined through screening, consumers are linked to a Recovery Support Specialist where they receive a tour of the facility and learn about all of the services that GCBHS has to offer. If consumers choose to continue outpatient services, an assessment is completed or scheduled in order to gather comprehensive information and prepare for the individualized integrated service plan. Persons served are also educated about the purpose of a treatment advocate and they are encouraged to bring their advocate with them to assist in the development of their service plan. Each person served is actively involved in determining the direction of his or her individual plan. Planning is client directed, person-centered, recovery oriented, trauma-informed, and strengths based. Clients are linked to a case manager and/or therapist for on going service. Contact with our Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) is available for each consumer and encouraged throughout the course of treatment for support and advocacy.
Screening and Assessment is available on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. A 24-hour crisis line is available to assist persons who need immediate assistance after hours. Crisis intervention is available to individuals and/or families who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. Staff evaluate and refer consumers needing emergency hospitalization that are under the age of 21. Referrals to other community resources are provided to any persons whose needs are not within our scope of practice or to those who do not meet our eligibility guidelines.
Philosophy of the Program:
We believe that the first contact is paramount in establishing a partnership with the “consumer.” We believe there is “no wrong door” and our goal is to provide services in a welcoming environment, one that fosters a sense of safety, trust, and hope. We believe in providing recovery oriented, trauma informed, culturally competent and co-occurring capable services to persons served starting with Screening, Assessment, and Referral.
Staff criteria and specialized training required:
Staff providing Screening possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in a mental health related program and staff providing Assessment services possess a Master’s Degree in a mental health related program and they are either licensed or currently under supervision to be licensed in the State of Oklahoma. Assessment staff will receive training to administer the ASI and determine ASAM criteria to those persons being served with co-occurring disorders and staff are also educated as to the dynamics that trauma can play in the recovery process. Our Recovery Support Specialists possess a high school diploma or GED, are certified through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and they have knowledge in the area of mental health recovery.
Admission Criteria:
§ All adults, children, or adolescents presenting for services will be screened for appropriateness of services.
§ GCBHS consumers seeking indigent services must meet financial and clinical criteria established by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
§ Referrals are also accepted from our EAP/treatment partners including: the VA Regional Office, Graham Packaging Company, Monarch, Inc., Muskogee County EMS, Women in Safe Homes (WISH), McCoy’s, and local law enforcement.
Exclusion Criteria:
Every consumer that presents to GCBHS is given the opportunity to complete a screening with a qualified staff person. The screening process will then determine if the consumer meets clinical and financial requirements for services. Consumers will receive a referral to an outside resource under the following circumstances:
§ The consumer does not meet clinical criteria for services;
§ The consumer is unable to cognitively benefit from services;
§ The consumer does not meet the financial requirements for indigent services and they are unable or unwilling to participate in self-pay services;
Program Modalities:
Green Country Behavioral Health Services is located at 619 N. Main St. in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Potential consumers are seen on a walk-in or scheduled basis Monday-Friday for initial screenings. Modalities include screenings, assessments, referrals, linkage, advocacy, and crisis intervention services.
Access
Intake and Assessment is available on a walk-in basis, Monday thru Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Phone screenings are also provided during this time frame. A 24-hour crisis line is available to assist persons who need immediate assistance after hours. Crisis intervention is available to individuals and/or families who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency. Persons served will not be limited to accessing services due to homelessness, his/her past or present mental health or co-occurring disorder issues, the presumption of their inability to benefit from treatment, any substances presently or historically used, or their level of success in prior treatment. Staff members coordinate with local and state facilities, as needed, for possible emergency hospitalization of anyone under the age of 21. Referrals to other community resources are provided to any persons whose needs are not within our scope of practice or to those who do not meet our eligibility guidelines.
UPDATED 7-1-2013