Sec. 599.1. Background and intent

(a) This Part establishes standards for the certification, operation and reimbursement of clinic treatment programs serving adults and clinic treatment programs serving children.

(b) Clinic treatment programs serving adults serve individuals 18 years of age and older with a diagnosis of mental illness. Clinic treatment programs serving children serve individuals up to 21 years of age and may include 21-year old individuals while such individuals are currently admitted to a clinic serving children with a diagnosis of emotional disturbance. A clinic treatment program may serve both adults and children.

(c) The goals of a clinic treatment program that serves adults are to diagnose and treat an individual’s mental illness, to work with the individual in developing a plan of care designed to minimize symptoms and adverse effects of illness, maximize wellness, and promote recovery toward the achievement of life goals such as, but not limited to, education and employment.

(d) The goals of a clinic treatment program that serves children are early assessment and identification of childhood emotional disturbances, and engagement of the child and family in the development of a plan of care designed to minimize the symptoms and adverse effects of illness, maximize wellness, assist the child in developing a resilient and hopeful approach to school, family, and community, and maintain the child in his or her natural environment.

(e) It is the intent of the Office of Mental Health that the goals described in this section be achieved through the establishment and operation of programs that address the symptoms and adverse effects of mental illness at their earliest stages, to avoid mental health crises where possible, and to respond in a timely and effective manner to such crises when they occur. It is the intent of the office to establish the clinic treatment program as a clinical home for the individual being served that provides a person-centered, recovery oriented and individualized approach to care. Providers should utilize high quality and evidence-based practices and other practices which are supported by scientific research or generally accepted clinical practice guidelines to maximize individuals’ abilities; to minimize the symptoms, adverse effects and consequences of mental illness; to maintain and promote the individuals’ integration into the community; to support family integrity; and to provide ongoing support to service recipients and their relevant collaterals.

(f) This Part supersedes Part 85 of this Title as it relates to clinic treatment services operated by or under the auspices of the Office of Mental Health.

(g) This Part supersedes Parts 587, 588 and 592 of this Title as they relate to clinic treatment services operated by or under the auspices of the Office of Mental Health, except where specifically noted in this Part.