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Services
IMHCS MH/MR Services is a community based mental health and mental retardation center located in 11 different States. It provides a variety of behavioral health care services to people with mental illness, mental retardation, developmental delays and chemical dependency.
The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service System provide quality services and support that:
- Facilitate recovery for adults and resiliency for children.
- Are responsive to individuals' unique strengths and needs throughout their lives.
- Focus on prevention and early intervention.
- Recognize, respect and accommodate differences as they relate to culture/ethnicity/race/religion, gender identity and sexual orientation.
- Ensure individual human rights and eliminate discrimination and stigma.
- Are provided in a comprehensive array by unifying programs and funding that build on natural and community supports unique to each individual and family.
- Are developed, monitored and evaluated in partnership with consumers, families and advocates.
- Represent collaboration with other agencies and service systems.
Mental Retardation
What is Mental Retardation?
The essential features of Mental Retardation are significantly sub average general intellectual functioning accompanied by limitations in adaptive functioning in at least two or the following skill areas: communication, self-care, home living, social/interpersonal skills, use of community resources, self-direction functional academic skills, work, leisure, health, and safety. This definition applies when the above characteristics present in the developmental period.
Mental Retardation – Diagnosis and Supports
Diagnosis and identification of supports for people with mental retardation occur in three steps. The first step is diagnosis. To make the diagnosis of mental retardation a qualified person gives one or more standardized, individual intelligence tests and a standardized, individual adaptive skills test. The second step is to describe the person’s strengths and weaknesses across four dimensions. The four dimensions are:
1. Intellectual and adaptive behavior skills
2. Psychological/emotional considerations
3. Physical health/etiological considerations
4. Environmental considerations
Management
Independent Monitoring for Quality – a part of the Office of Developmental Programs quality management process guided by the values and principles of Everyday Lives. The program utilizes independent monitoring teams to interview children ages 3 and over, and adults supported by the Office of Developmental Programs and their families. The program focuses on the quality of services and supports and organizes the information collected into the following categories: Satisfaction, Dignity, Rights & Respect; Choice & Control; Relationships; and Community Involvement. Information from IM4Q is analyzed at a state and local level to evaluate the need for changes to the Office of Developmental Programs services system.
Health Risk Profile (HRP) – a health related assessment completed by a nurse employed by the Health Care Quality Unit. The population to be assessed is determined through a yearly sample pulled by the Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Mental Retardation. The people who may be chosen to participate in this sample are those who receive either residential, family living, or an ICF/MR level of support. The results are compiled to assess the needs, strengths, and quality of medical care provided to people with mental retardation within the county and across the commonwealth.
MH/MR Board Evaluations – Our MH/MR administrative office has developed a standard protocol for conducting the MH/MR Board Evaluations. Each year, in accordance with the Mental Health Act, outpatient is reviewed and two other services are selected for review on a cyclical basis. The standard protocol consists of: identifying three (3) providers; requesting completion of a questionnaire by the provider; establishing an evaluation team which includes representation from the MH/MR Advisory Board, county administrative office, case management, advocacy groups and a consumer or family member.
The evaluation team process is conducted in stages. The county representatives review charts/records of consumers in the service. During the on-site visit, the complete team then reviews policies and procedures, the completed questionnaire, conducts interviews with staff, tours the site and provides the agency with feedback, recommendations and suggestions based on the information gathered.
MH/MR Quality Management Plan - The mission of companies Quality Management Plan (ICQMP) is to continually improve the administration of quality of mental health, mental retardation, and early intervention services .The program philosophy is that high-quality care and services are a result of close partnerships between the County, consumers and families, advocacy groups, and providers. The importance of data-driven decisions is emphasized and quality problems are resolved through monitoring, evaluation, feedback, system enhancements, and training.
