CSB OF MIDDLE GEORGIA

Consumer Handbook for Mental Health, Addictive Disease and

Developmental Disabilities Services

WELCOME

• Recovery is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the day’s challenges. It is not a perfectly linear process. At times our course is erratic and we falter, slide back, regroup and start again . . . .The need is to meet the challenge of the disability and to re-establish a new and valued sense of integrity and purpose within and beyond the limits of the disability; the aspiration is to live, work, and love in a community in which one makes a significant contribution. Deegan, P. E. (1988)

WELCOME

• Your recovery process involves many people, including yourself, working together to develop a plan of treatment designed for you

• The CSB of Middle Georgia does not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, orientation, ethnic origin, age, or disability

ABOUT US

• We employ a culturally diverse workforce

• The cultural appropriateness of service is an important factor in the accessibility of services to you

• The staff’s knowledge of various cultures, and the development of skills and attitudes are essential in providing services that are consistent with your needs.

HOURS OF OPERATION

General Hours of Operation are Monday- Friday, 8:15 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

• Some programs provide evening and weekend services. Others are residential and operate 24 hours a day

• Main Office Number

478-272-1190

• 1-800-715-4225 or 478-275-6820 can be used after hours on nights, weekends and holidays if you need someone to talk to and we aren’t here. Please use these numbers if you can’t get in touch with your case manager.

Call if you are having trouble with meds, you are feeling very depressed or anxious, or if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

• Poison Help 1-800-222-1222

YOUR RIGHTS

You have the right to:

• Receive care suited to your needs that is respectful to you.

• Be informed of benefits and risks of your treatment

• Participate in planning your own treatment

• Refuse services (unless a licensed clinician or doctor thinks refusing services would be harmful for you)

• Prompt and confidential services

• Review and get copies of your records

YOUR RIGHTS

• Exercise all rights of which you are entitled to as a citizen

• Remain free of physical restraints (unless we need to protect you or others)

• Be free of verbal and physical abuse

• Informed consent or refusal of services, release of information, etc.

• Right to file a complaint/grievance which can be made to CSB of Middle Georgia, the Regional 5 Office or DBHDD.

• An appeal process is in place at each level if the complaint/grievance isn’t resolved to your satisfaction.

If you would like a copy of your rights, please ask a staff member to print one for you.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• You should keep appointments and call if you need to reschedule

• Be honest with your doctor and case manager so that they can provide you with the right service needed to reach your goal

• Take all medications as prescribe by the doctor

• Call if you have any problems

• Notify your case manager if there is a change in your medication or if anything big changes

• Respecting yourself and others

• Notify staff if you feel your health/safety are at risk

OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO YOU

• We recognize that we have a responsibility to you and the communities we serve. Organizational and Professional code of ethics (that means how we should run things, and with what kind of attitude) are posted in common areas of each building and copies are available if you would like one.

• We have the responsibility to follow up with the referral sources for mandated (that means the court sent you to receive services) people regardless of treatment outcome.

CONSENT TO TREATMENT

In order to help you, we need your permission first. There will be an “Information and Consent Form” that you fill out, among others. This will describes how medical information about you might be used or disclosed. This form will ask for your consent to treatment.

CONFIDENTIALITY

• All information that’s given to us will be confidential

• The only time CSB of Middle Georgia gives information out without written permission is when there is a medical emergency, danger to yourself or someone else, or when courts order us to do so.

• We do release information to insurance companies, Medicaid and Medicare based on your authorization when you sign the HIPAA Information and Consent Form at intake

CONFIDENTIALITY

• You have the right to personal privacy, reasonable telephone access, visitors, mail, personal effects, and money

• Our Agency follows HIPAA guidelines as defined by federal regulations

If you feel your confidentiality has been broken, you have the right to contact the Consumer Representative at (478) 272-1190

INTAKE

• When a person first contacts our agency, the receptionist will ask for some information from you like your phone number and address so we can stay in contact with you.

• Your first visit will be intake, where we gather information that will help us better serve and assist you through your recovery process. During intake, you’ll be provided resources and information regarding your care and recovery.

• You will see a clinician/case manager, a doctor, and a nurse as part of this process.

• You are provided resources information regarding advance directives. Requests to pursue Advance Directives are forwarded to a Matt Rainey, a Certified Peer Specialist in recovery just like you.

INTAKE (CONT)

• When a person first contacts the Developmental Disabilities Program at the phone number listed, the caller will be provided information on how to access services through the Region Intake and Evaluation Team.

TREATMENT PLANNING

• Your treatment plan is a document that outlines all of the goals you decide you want to reach, and how you plan to reach them, while you receive services here.

• Your counselor will write down each part in your treatment plan. It’s important for you to know that we encourage you and your family to be familiar with your goals and to have input on ways you can reach them.

• Your recovery is your responsibility. Only you can live your life. We are here to encourage you and support you while you reach your treatment plan goals.

• Outcomes (results) are measured using input from you, your family, doctor and nurse. This is written down in your medical record.

• Refusing treatment, medication or services offered could result in an inability to receive appropriate care.

DISCHARGE/TRANSITION PLANNING

Discharge means you would no longer receive services with us.

• We will link you with natural supports in your community to ensure you do well even after you leave.

• Every so often, we will call people who have been discharged and ask them questions to figure out how satisfied they were with our services.

Transition means to go from one program to another. Sometimes you might find a program you want to try that you think you’ll like better. Sometimes we may offer you services for another program if you meet certain criteria.

FEES

You must bring:

• Form of identification/legal residency

• Information about your income because we use a sliding fee scale to determine how much you’ll pay.

• Insurance Card. Medicaid and Medicare are accepted.

• Payments are due at the time of service.

• If you can’t give us financial information, you may be charged the full amount for services or even be discontinued for services. Please make sure to bring this if you can.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

• Your family is important to us. If you would like to bring your family or close friends with you during your first visits, please do so.

• You may choose to have a loved one make decisions for you if you are not doing well and are unable to understand recommended treatments.

• There are family support services available in Eastman and Dublin to help families understand the problems their loved ones are facing.

BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR PROGRAM

• Upon entering a program, staff will give you information about building specific emergency plans and procedures and floor plans. They will discuss emergency exits, shelters and relevant procedures.

• You will be introduced to the person responsible for providing you care, sometimes called your case manager or case worker.

• Rules concerning tobacco use and prescription drugs will be reviewed with you at your program.

• Illegal drugs or possession of weapons is never allowed.

BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR PROGRAM

• There are incentives offered here and they vary depending on what program you’re in. Specifics will be discussed with you at your treatment site. The program rules will be discussed at that time too.

• Events, behaviors or attitudes that may lead to the loss of rights or privileges are found in your program description. If you need more specific information, please ask staff at that site to review it with you.

• Seclusion and restraints are always a last resort and only utilized in our crisis stabilization unit.

GROUP SKILLS TRAINING/THERAPY

• Group Skills Training/therapy is a confidential meeting where people come to talk about their problems

• You can learn ways of coping with your problems by listening to others and provide feedback

• As a group member you are expected to be on time, come to each meeting, and keep the confidences of other consumers as you work on your goals

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PROGRAM

• Serve consumers up to age 18

• Children, youth, and their families are offered counseling for numerous problems such as hyperactivity, adjustment problems, substance abuse issues, and depression

• C&A programs have Outpatient and Community Support Programs and work with people with mental health and/or addictive disease issues

• Therapist work with schools, families, and other community programs to ensure the best care possible to help young people become well adjusted and reach their full potential

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

• Service adults 18 and older

• We offer Outpatient Counseling, Day Services, Community Support Individual, Medication Maintenance, and Supportive Living

• These programs are for consumers with a wide range of problems including, but not limited to depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and adjustment problem

ADDICTIVE DISEASE

• Addiction is a treatable disease which affects the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual life of individual

• It has been proven that people with alcohol and drug problems best recover in a group therapy/counseling setting

• While you may be involved in family or individual therapy/counseling, the primary component of your treatment will be in group setting

Services include Outpatient, Detox, Drug Court, Community Support Individual, TAN-F Residential, Ready for Work Services, Substance Abuse Day

Treatment, Gender Specific Groups, and Residential Placement options based on need

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

• We provide DD services to consumers 18years of age or older

• Consumers/families requesting NOW and COMP Waiver or State Funded Services must contact the Intake & Evaluation Personnel at the Regional Office in their catchment area. The CSBMG is a part of Region 5 in Savannah, Georgia

• The CSB of Middle Georgia provides the following Waiver Services:

• Day Services provides ~ CAG, CAI, SEG/SEI and Pre-Voc.

• Residential provides ~ CRA, CLS and Respite

QUENTIN PRICE M.D. CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT

• 24 hour, 16 bed residential treatment facility, providing supervision and support for adults needing psychiatric and detoxification services

• Individuals admitted are served on a short term basis, with an average length of stay being 5 days

• Referrals are made through Community Mental Health Center’s coordination with local hospital, probate judges, and law enforcement agencies

• All individuals admitted must be 18 years old or older and have a medical clearance prior to admission

QUENTIN PRICE M.D. CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT GOALS

• Prevent unnecessary hospitalization or re- hospitalization

• Provide psychiatric and substance abuse stabilization

• To mobilize the resources of the community to link the consumer to appropriate services and support for on-going care and treatment

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to ask any questions you have regarding your care, our services or any other worries related to us serving you.