New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 10 - HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 31 - SCREENING AND SCREENING OUTREACH PROGRAM
Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 10:31-1.2 - Purpose

1. To provide clinical assessment and crisis stabilization in the least restrictive, clinically appropriate setting, as close to the individual's home as possible, in a manner that is culturally competent, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented and assists the consumer in achieving a self-directed transition to wellness;

2. To provide outreach to individuals who may need involuntary commitment and are unable or unwilling to come to the screening service location, as stipulated in 30:4-27.5(d);

3. To provide outreach for the purpose of crisis intervention and stabilization;

4. To assure referral and linkage, which is voluntary in nature, to appropriate community mental health and social services;

5. To coordinate access, where appropriate, to the publicly affiliated acute care system serving a designated geographic area;

6. To screen individuals, so that only those persons who are in need of involuntary commitment, as set forth in N.J.S.A. 30:4-27.2m, are committed;

7. To serve as the admission screener and primary route of access to the short term care facility, county psychiatric hospital, and State psychiatric hospital;

8. To provide training and technical assistance concerning psychiatric emergencies to other social service, law enforcement and mental health providers in the geographic area;

9. To coordinate a system for review and monitoring of the effectiveness and appropriateness of screening and screening outreach service use, including impact upon admissions to State and county psychiatric hospitals; and

10. To provide leadership within the acute care network of services and advocate for services to meet consumers' needs and encourage the system to respond flexibly.