Standards of Care for Mental Health Services in Tarrant County

Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County identifies the following standards to be crucial to the delivery of quality mental health services to the citizens of our community.  MHC advocates that all programs delivering mental health services recognize and incorporate these standards into all services delivered.

Services will be:

Strength-based
All aspects of mental health services including assessment, planning and treatment will identify and recognize individual and family strengths.

Effective
Services will be used which demonstrate an ability to effectively help participants.  Programs will have clearly identified goals. Outcomes will be measured and reported and used to determine program effectiveness.

Consumer and Family Empowerment
Every effort will be made to involve consumers and families in treatment planning and to provide services in a manner that promotes keeping the family together.  Services will be provided in Tarrant County so that consumers/families do not have to leave the county for help.

Culturally Competent
Service providers will be trained to interact with youth and families in a manner that respects and values their cultural values and traditions.

Safe
Programs will be staffed and supervised in a manner that provides safety for program participants.

 

Services will include:

Education, Prevention and Early Intervention
Education, prevention and early intervention are critical components of a holistic mental health system. Education and prevention can eliminate the need for services for some, and early intervention promotes enhanced long-term outcomes.

Consumer and Family Empowerment
Services will be designed to assure that consumers and families are full partners in the development and implementation of their service plans.

Recovery
Services will focus on helping clients overcome mental health problems and develop improved lifestyles. Services will not be solely designed to promote maintenance of existing functioning, but will encourage and support growth and integration into the community.

Integrated Service Delivery System
Providers of mental health services will recognize and fulfill their roles as members of our community mental health system. It is the obligation of all providers to help families and consumers access appropriate services. Integrated partnerships are formed with other service providers in our community to afford consumers and families a seamless system of care.