Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 24 - Mental Health
Part 2 - Operational Standards for Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Community Service Providers
Chapter 20 - Mental Health Community Support Services
Rule 24-2-20.1 - Mental Health Community Support Services - General

Universal Citation: MS Code of Rules 24-2-20.1

Current through September 24, 2024

A. Community Support Services provide an array of support services delivered by community-based, mobile Community Support Specialists. Community Support Services are only provided by certified DMH/C and DMH/P providers. Community Support Services are directed towards adults, children, adolescents and families and will vary with respect to hours, type and intensity of services, depending on the changing needs of each person. The purpose/intent of a Community Support Specialist is to provide specific, measurable, and individualized services to each person served. Community Support Services should be focused on the person's ability to succeed in the community; to identify and access needed services; and, to show improvement in school, work, family, and community participation (Excludes IDD).

B. Community Support Services should be person-centered and focus on the person's recovery and ability to succeed in the community; to identify and access needed services; and, to show improvement in home, health, purpose and community. Community Support Services shall include the following:

1. Identification of strengths which will aid the person in his/her recovery and the barriers that will challenge the development of skills necessary for independent functioning in the community;

2. Individual therapeutic interventions with a beneficiary that directly increase the acquisition of skills needed to accomplish the goals set forth in the Individual Service Plan;

3. Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, as evidenced by symptom reduction and progress toward goals;

4. Psychoeducation on the identification and self-management of prescribed medication regimen and communication with the prescribing provider;

5. Direct interventions in de-escalating situations to prevent crisis;

6. Assisting a person in accessing needed services such as medical, social, educational, transportation, housing, substance use, personal care, employment and other services that may be identified in the Recovery Support Plan as components of Health, Home, Purpose and Community;

7. Assisting the person and natural supports in implementation of therapeutic interventions outlined in the Individual Service Plan;

8. Relapse prevention and disease management strategies;

9. Psychoeducation and training of family, unpaid caregivers, and/or others who have a legitimate role in addressing the needs of the person; and,

10. Facilitation of the Individual Service Plan and/or Recovery Support Plan which includes the active involvement of the beneficiary and the people identified as important in the person's life.

C. Providers of Community Support Services must, at a minimum:

1. Have a designated Director of Community Support Services to supervise the provision of Community Support Services.

2. Assign a full-time, DMH Credentialed Community Support Specialist for each person enrolled in the service.

3. Maintain a list of each Community Support Specialist's caseload that must be available for review by DMH personnel.

4. Maintain a current, comprehensive file of available formal and informal supports that is readily accessible to all Community Support Specialists.

5. Electronically maintained resource information is permissible. This resource file must include at a minimum:

(a) Name of entity;

(b) Eligibility requirements (if applicable);

(d) Services and supports available; and,

(e) Phone number.

D. The following priority groups of people with serious mental illness, children/youth with serious emotional disturbance and people with an intellectual/developmental disability must be offered Community Support Services within fourteen (14) days of the date of their initial assessment. Community Support Services must be provided within fourteen (14) days of the initial assessment unless the person states, in writing, that he/she does not want to receive the service.

1. People discharged from an inpatient psychiatric facility;

2. People discharged from an institution;

3. People discharged or transferred from Crisis Residential Services; and,

4. People referred from Crisis Response Services.

E. People with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance and/or an intellectual/developmental disability not included in these priority groups should be assessed to determine the need for Community Support Services within thirty (30) days of their initial assessment. Community Support Services must be provided within thirty (30) days of the initial assessment if the assessment indicates a need for such, unless the person states, in writing, that he/she does not want to receive the service.

F. Caseloads of Community Support Specialists must not exceed eighty (80) people receiving services.

G. Frequency of the provision of Community Support Services should be based on the needs of the person receiving the service.

H. The Recovery Support Plan must clearly state and justify the frequency of contact. Source: Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code, 1972, as Amended

Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code, 1972, as Amended

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Mississippi may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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