Current through Register Vol. 57, No. 6, March
17, 2025
(a) The PA
shall develop and implement an intake process that provides a basis for
assessment of an applicant's eligibility for service and the formulation of an
initial service plan to guide initial services which is mutually developed by
the consumer and a staff member. All intake procedures shall be guided by a
consumer's preferences and goals with regard to treatment and community living.
1. The initial contact shall serve to orient
and engage new consumers in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner,
and facilitate continuity of service.
2. Intake procedures shall be designed to
facilitate program participation at the earliest appropriate opportunity.
Completion of the formal intake process shall not preclude an otherwise
eligible consumer from participating in program activities or receiving
services on a provisional or try-out basis.
3. The PA shall train staff regarding
appropriate responses to inquiries for service and shall document such
training.
4. The PA shall maintain
a system to schedule face-to-face intake appointments within 14 calendar days.
i. The intake process for each consumer shall
include a minimum of one face-to-face interview, during which the information
listed at (b) below shall be obtained.
ii. If the consumer cannot be immediately
scheduled, the PA shall contact the consumer within two working days to arrange
for an initial intake appointment.
5. The intake process shall include an
orientation to the program and an explanation of the consumer's rights and
grievance procedure. The PA shall also post the grievance procedure in a
prominent location within the agency and make copies of
N.J.A.C.
10:37-4.5, Client rights, and
10:37-4.6, client complaint/agency
ombuds procedure, available to consumers upon request.
6. The PA shall develop and implement written
procedures that require the PA to maintain contact with any consumer who is
waiting for service in order to ensure that each consumer's emergent needs are
identified and met.
(b)
In order to ensure that there is an adequate basis for a timely and accurate
consumer assessment, the provider agency shall develop and maintain written
policies and procedures which require that the following information be
documented for all intake interviews:
1.
Basic demographic information, including emergency contact person;
2. Presenting problems and reason for
referral, including consumer interests and preferences in achieving valued
community living, learning, working or social roles;
3. A medical history, including a brief
history of the illness and previous services received at agency and elsewhere,
a consumer self report of response to previous treatment, a completed current
mental status evaluation, medication information; current mental health and
social service providers; and any allergies;
4. A signed authorization for release of
information, in accordance with all applicable legal requirements;
5. Basic family and social
supports;
6. Legal information
relevant to treatment;
7. Basic
substance dependency information;
8. Basic employment and educational history;
and
9. Risk factors (for example,
under what circumstances the consumer may be a danger to self or others or
present a risk of sexually predatory behavior).
(c) The PA shall develop and implement a
written procedure that requires a review of all intakes that result in a
determination that a consumer may be denied service.
(d) An initial service plan shall be
completed during the intake process. This plan shall address the consumer's
immediate needs and concerns, with special attention to urgent presenting
problems, to meet immediate needs for food, clothing, shelter and medication.
1. The initial service plan shall be
documented in the progress notes and shall include interventions utilized, such
as prevocational or counseling services.
2. The initial service plan shall be revised
as needed until the individualized recovery plan is developed.
3. The PA shall develop a formal procedure
for updating the initial service plan, and create an individualized recovery
plan that shall be completed within six weeks of intake and shall involve
supervisory personnel.
