Services

The county Bedford-Somerset MH/MR offers the following services which are available to the members of both Bedford and Somerset counties.

Administrative Case Management (Mental Health Case Management)

Children and Adolescent Services System Program (CASSP)

Crisis Intervention Services

Disaster Crisis Outreach and Referral Team (DCORT)

Early Intervention Services

Individual/Family Satisfaction Teams (IFST)

Peer Support

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

Supports Coordination (Mental Retardation Case Management)

Waiver Administration

ADMINISTRATIVE CASE MANAGEMENT (Mental Health Case Management)
Administrative Case Managers work in the Base Service Unit Department of MH/MR. Your first contact with MH/MR is with an Administrative Case Manager who will gather information to help to get connections for the best mental health services. A Case Manager will offer choices of places where services can be obtained, help coordinate care with providers, and give contact numbers. Assistance will be given along with guidance through the mental health system. Case Managers offer support in promoting self advocacy.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT SERVICES SYSTEM PROGRAM (CASSP)
Children and Adolescent Services System Program (CASSP) helps children and adolescents with emotional disturbances to gain access to needed services. CASSP coordinates services for at-risk children and adolescents who are involved with more than one child-serving agency. This could include MH/MR, Probation, Children and Youth Services, Drug and Alcohol, Intermediate Unit 8, etc.

CASSP plays a vital role in inter-agency education, improving collaboration, and improving the child, adolescent, and family service delivery system. When a child or adolescent is identified as needing mental health, correctional, protective, and/or supportive services, a CASSP team meets to discuss the options for treatment, care, and support. The CASSP team consists of all the key people in the child’s life – including family members and professionals. The goals of CASSP include:

Promoting the development of a wide array of services to meet the needs of identified children,
Integrating multiple services into a well coordinated system of care to make sure children are receiving the most appropriate services, and
Increasing the ability of parents and professionals to work together for the benefit of children with mental health needs.

CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES (CI)
Crisis intervention services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 866-611-6467 in both Bedford and Somerset County. This is an immediate service designed to help ease stress for adults, children, and families experiencing emotional, mental, or behavioral problems. Walk-in assistance is also available at our offices from 8 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday.

Referrals can be made from community mental health agencies, family members, police, friends, neighbors, landlords, or anyone concerned about the welfare of an individual who appears to be in a mental health crisis.

Crisis workers can help in a number of ways:

Crisis counseling and emergency evaluations,
Voluntary/involuntary admission to psychiatric units (if necessary),
Emergency placements in numerous community programs, and
Referral services

A crisis can be any emergency situation where effective problem-solving and coping skills are limited. Crisis situations could include thoughts of suicide or wanting to hurt oneself, thoughts of harming others, physical aggression to others, or refusal of psychiatric or medical care because of impaired insight or judgment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, call 1-866-611-6467 in Bedford and Somerset County.

DISASTER CRISIS OUTREACH AND REFERRAL TEAM (DCORT)
DCORT is a team of trained individuals from the Bedford and Somerset County MH/MR Programs that will provide services in the aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event in the communities of each county. The team works closely with Emergency Management Agency when needed.

INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY SATISFACTION TEAMS (IFST)
The purpose of the individual/family satisfaction teams is to assess the quality of mental health services being provided. Consumers and family members work as a formal team to meet with individuals and family members to find out their level of satisfaction with the services they received. The teams also help ensure that problems related to service access, delivery, and outcomes are identified and resolved in a timely manner.

The County contracts with the Mental Health Association of Franklin Fulton County to operate the IFST. To contact, call (814) 623-2642 in Bedford; (814) 445-2699 in Somerset.

PEER SUPPORT

The Peer Support Service is person-centered with a recovery focus. This service consists of a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPS) who has experiences as a consumer of mental health services, assisting individuals with their recovery from mental illness. It is recognized that the experiences of peer support providers, as consumers of mental health services, can be an important part in effective treatment.

The CPS allows individuals the opportunity to direct their own recovery and advocacy processes. This, in turn, promotes skills for coping with and managing symptoms; enhances community living skills; and encourages individuals to use natural resources.

Peer Support Service is a helping relationship between an individual and a Peer Support Specialist that promotes respect, trust, and warmth. It also empowers individuals to make changes and decisions to enhance their lives. At any time, individuals participating in the service are encouraged to make decisions about the activities and services offered within the Peer Support Service. This service is directed toward the achievement of specific goals that have been defined by the individual. The activities provided by this service emphasize developing and expanding rehabilitation skills needed to move forward in recovery.

A Vital Step On The Journey Toward Hope And Recovery

SUPPORTS COORDINATION (Mental Retardation Case Management)
This service links individuals with mental retardation to appropriate services. Support Coordination services are provided by staff to ensure the appropriate and timely use of available resources and specialized services to best address the needs of the individual seeking assistance. Activities may include, locating services and supports, case coordination, information/referral services, and monitoring of service delivery. Supports Coordination is to ensure services are implemented as stated in the participant's Individual Support Plan (ISP).

STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SAP)
Student Assistance Program (SAP) consultation is offered to help school personnel identify emotional issues that could pose a barrier to a student’s success in school. This is a systematic program – not a treatment program – to help identify students in need and refer them for help.

Mental Health Specialists visit schools weekly and participate in team meetings, provide school-based student assessments with follow-up recommendations, support groups, crisis intervention services, and consultation/education services.

WAIVER ADMINISTRATION
Waivers are made available to provide supports and services for eligible individuals with mental retardation who are age three and older so they can remain in their home and community. The County Office performs operational and administrative functions, delegated by the Department of Public Welfare, that are related to these waivers.

The County Office is responsible for acquiring, monitoring, and managing these waivers to assure the needs of eligible individuals are being met. If you have questions about waiver eligibility, contact your Supports Coordinator at the Bedford-Somerset County Office of Mental Retardation.