Individual Advocacy

The program provides expanded mental health services for individuals and families who are uninsured and who are experiencing severe emotional disturbances or mental health issues and who meet enrollment criteria for the Mental Health Services Act programs. The programs serve children from 0 to 15; transition age youth from 16 to 25; adults from 26 to 59; and older adults over 60. Services include psychiatric case management on a round-the-clock basis, and individual advocacy within the mental health system, through the guidance of DMH system Navigators. People who meet the criteria are assessed and assigned treatment or support services through contracting community based mental health organizations in designated County Service Areas.

Programs supported by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) include the Full Service Partnership (FSP), an intensive mental health services program for children age birth to 5, transitional age youth (TAY) age 16 to 25, adults, age 26 to 59 and for older adults over 60. Participants must meet eligibility criteria; each referral is reviewed by a team of providers before acceptance.

FSP guidelines for children are: serious mental disturbance evidenced by behavior problems at home or school; or having a parent or caregiver with a substance abuse problem; or is a child at risk of removal from the home, or who is moving back after an out-of-home placement.

Transition Age Youth (TAY) eligibility includes the following populations: Youth with Substance Abuse disorders; youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; youth "aging out" of the child welfare (DCFS) system, mental health or juvenile justice systems; youth leaving long-term institutional care or youth experience their first episode of major mental illness.

Adult program guidelines for FSP services are a diagnosis of severe mental illness, and a possibility of benefits from an intensive services program.

Older adult programs include FSP services and Field Capable Clinical Services (FCCS) in which field-based services are provided to adults over 60 who are unable to access needed mental health services due to impaired mobility, frailty, geographic limitations, etc.

DMH Service Area Navigators are trained in the numerous DMH programs and services and are able to assist with connecting a potential referral to the proper channels for programs such as FSP, and other department programs. Ancillary services include employment services; drop-in centers; family support services; field-capable services for home visits for older adult clients; housing services; integrated co-occurring disorders services for dually diagnosed clients; jail linkages for pre-release services to inmates; older adult services; probation camp services for juveniles; respite care services; step-down services to assist in resocialization for adults; and wellness centers for support in recovery.

The Veterans And Loved Ones Recovery (VALOR) program provides veteran reintegration counseling and support for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) for veterans and their immediate families and dependents.