Standards of Care for the Delivery of High Quality Mental Health Services

The majority of Mental Health Connection’s members have signed resolutions supporting the following standards of care for mental health care services.

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, and outcomes will be measured and reported. Outcome data will be used to determine program effectiveness and to guide decisions about program development or changes.

Family-focused
Every effort will be made to involve families in treatment and to provide services in a manner that promotes keeping the family together. Services will be provided in Tarrant County so consumers and 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 Empowerment
Services will be designed to assure consumers 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.

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.

Adequate Capacity
The mental health system is not complete until it is able to respond to the needs of consumers. Capacity for accessing quality services in a timely manner is critical to meeting the needs of consumers.