Rule 4 Program Components

(a) Case Management and Supervision. Once an applicant has been accepted, the Caseworker will manage the participant’s case. The Caseworker has five key functions in case management comprised of assessment, planning, linking, monitoring, and advocacy. The Caseworker works in collaboration with clinicians, the Team, and other service providers for the participant’s benefit. This aids in forming treatment strategies and identifying issues affecting the participant’s recovery.

(b) Treatment. The Judge relies on the Treatment Providers to assist in developing appropriate treatment plans. The participant may be required to attend inpatient or outpatient treatment which may include group therapy, individual therapy, medication-assisted NMI JUDICIARY MENTAL HEALTH COURT DOCKET cite as: NMI MHC PP treatment (as permitted by law), or medication monitoring with a psychiatrist. The participant will be required to work with a Treatment Provider on treatment goals. Treatment plans will be updated regularly and provided to the Team.

The MHC has a multi-phased treatment process which includes the following:

(1) Initial biopsychosocial assessment and ongoing treatment plan review to ensure the participant’s needs are met;

(2) Comprehensive treatment services;

(3) Accessible treatment services;

(4) Adequate and fair funding for treatment;

(5) Treatment services with quality control; and

(6) Treatment designs and delivery that are sensitive and relevant to issues of race, culture, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

(c) Treatment Phases. The program is a minimum of 12 months, and in some cases up to 18 months unless otherwise determined by the Judge. The participant must successfully complete each phase of the program before advancing to the next phase. The participant must submit a written request to the Caseworker for phase advancement. There are four treatment phases.

(1) Phase I: Assessment, Orientation, and Stabilization. Phase I focuses on assessing the participant’s needs and integration into the program structure. The participant’s responsibilities include:

(i) Checking in with MHC;

(ii) Attending court hearing;

(iii) Submitting to drug or alcohol testing;

(iv) Developing an individualized treatment plan with a Treatment Provider;

(v) Attending group and individual counseling as dictated by that treatment plan;

(vi) Obtaining and providing valid and current identification documents;

(vii) Obtaining and providing complete immunization record; NMI JUDICIARY MENTAL HEALTH COURT DOCKET cite as: NMI MHC PP

(viii) Obtaining Nutritional Assistance Program benefits, if necessary;

(ix) Completing physical, dental, and eye exams;

(x) Completing HIV or STD and TB screening and counseling;

(xi) Taking prescribed medications as directed by the doctor and the treatment plan;

(xii) Obtaining benefits, including insurance, if uninsured to support continuity of care;

(xiii) Developing a case management plan with the Caseworker;

(xiv) Attending case management appointments;

(xv) Identifying a support person (sponsor, mentor, religious figure, supportive family member, or friend) at least 30 days prior to phase advancement, and providing contact information of that person to the Caseworker; and

(xvi) Establishing a payment plan with the Caseworker toward restitution, fees, and court costs, based on ability to pay.

In order to advance to Phase II, the participant shall submit:

(i) A Petition to Move to Another Phase and Decompensation Prevention Plan to the Team, supported by a letter stating lessons learned in Phase I;

(ii) Progress made toward treatment goals as reported by treatment provider; and

(iii) Progress made toward case management goals as reported by the Caseworker.

(2) Phase II: Symptom Management. In Phase II, the Team will assist the participant to successfully navigate the treatment plan, control symptoms, and prevent decompensation. The participant’s responsibilities include:

(i) Checking in with the Team;

(ii) Attending court hearings;

(iii) Submitting to drug or alcohol testing;

NMI JUDICIARY MENTAL HEALTH COURT DOCKET cite as: NMI MHC PP

(iv) Updating individualized treatment plan with the Treatment Provider and attending group or individual counseling as dictated by that treatment plan;

(v) Taking prescribed medications as directed by doctor and the treatment plan;

(vi) Updating case management plan with the Caseworker;

(vii) Working on goals related to the case management plan;

(viii) Maintaining contact with a support person;

(ix) Registering to vote; and

(x) Securing employment, beginning an educational program or vocational training, or securing public benefits.

In order to advance to Phase III, the participant shall submit:

(i) Petition to Move to Another Phase to the Team, supported by a letter stating lessons learned in Phase II;

(ii) Treatment Provider’s report on progress made toward treatment goals;

(iii) Proof of insurance coverage;

(iv) Caseworker’s report on progress made toward case management goals;

(v) Proof of contact with the support person;

(vi) Current payment plan; and

(vii) Verification of employment, educational program, vocational training, or public benefits.

(3) Phase III: Sustainable Stabilization and Support. By Phase III, the participant will have made progress in treatment. In this phase, the Team assists the participant with ongoing stabilization. The participant’s responsibilities include:

(i) Checking in with the Team;

(ii) Attending court hearings;

(iii) Submitting to drug or alcohol testing;

(iv) Updating individualized treatment plan with the Treatment Provider; NMI JUDICIARY MENTAL HEALTH COURT DOCKET cite as: NMI MHC PP

(v) Attending group or individual counseling as dictated by the treatment plan;

(vi) Taking prescribed medications as directed by the doctor and the treatment plan;

(vii) Developing an Ongoing Stabilization and Support Plan with assistance from the Treatment Provider and Caseworker;

(viii) Updating case management plan with Caseworker and working on goals related to the plan;

(ix) Maintaining contact with a support person; and

(x) Maintaining employment, beginning an educational program, beginning vocational training, or securing public benefits.

In order to advance to the Graduation Phase, the participant shall submit:

(i) Petition to Move to Another Phase to the Team asking to be promoted to Graduation;

(ii) The Treatment Provider’s report on progress toward treatment goals;

(iii) Proof of insurance coverage;

(iv) The Caseworker’s report on progress toward case management goals;

(v) Maintain contact with the support person;

(vi) Proof of contact with the support person;

(vii) Current payment plan; and

(viii) Verification of employment, educational program, vocational training, or public benefits.

(4) Requirements for Graduation from Mental Health Court. By Graduation Phase, treatment goals will have been achieved. The participant’s responsibilities include:

(i) Submitting Petition to Graduate, supported by a letter stating lessons learned in Phase III;

(ii) Reviewing Ongoing Recovery Plan with the Team;

(iii) Adhering to treatment goals as reported by the Treatment Provider, and approved the Ongoing Recovery Plan for follow up after graduation;

NMI JUDICIARY MENTAL HEALTH COURT DOCKET cite as: NMI MHC PP

(iv) Engaging in community service of no less than 20 hours, as provided by the Caseworker;

(v) Completing case management goals as reported by the Caseworker; and

(vi) Paying in full restitution, fees, and court costs. The participant must pay the program fees. The Judge has discretion to permit alternative payment methods or waive the fees, on a case-by-case basis. Restitution fees are not waivable and must be paid as part of the payment plan.