What is Respite Care Services?

Respite Care Services gives temporary relief to families that are providing day-to-day care to adults and children that have a Developmental Disability. The family receives an annual allotment of funds that they can use to hire someone to care for their child, to register their child for summer camp or day camp. The amount of respite funds for each family depends on the individual needs of each family as well as the annual program budget. When funds are limited, a list of criteria is used to prioritize individuals who are assessed to have the highest care needs. Respite services include assessment, treatment planning, information on respite opportunities and actual respite funds.

How does Respite Care Services help a family?

Respite Care Services gives families a break from the intense care needs of their child/children. It gives parents and guardians the opportunity to relax, nurture other marital, family or social relationships, and to attend to business outside the home. Respite may not be used as daycare to engage in outside employment. By supporting the family we help them continue to care for their child at home.

Consumer Packet

Provider Packet

Respite Invoices

What are Supports Coordination Services?

Supports Coordination helps eligible adults and children with a developmental disability gain access to services that are important to their lives and that help them be as independent as possible. These may include such areas as medical, social, educational, behavioral health, vocational, community interaction and other services. Supports Coordination Services are generally provided within the home, community, school or vocational setting. They may vary in intensity based on the needs of the individual served. Priority goes to individuals that have intensive needs and require help accessing and coordinating multiple services. Anyone placed in residential programming through Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health automatically qualifies for Supports Coordination Services.

How do Supports Coordination Services help an individual or family?

A Supports Coordinator helps people to participate fully in their community. A person-centered planning approach is used to help identify an individual’s strengths, dreams, goals and desires. The Supports Coordinator may help to secure the most appropriate living environment; can help a person connect with employment resources; and help identify supports for an individual to achieve a higher level of independence. The Supports Coordinator provides other services as well including assessment, linking and monitoring with agency and community resources, advocacy and crisis intervention services.

What are Supported Employment Services?

Supported Employment Services help people who have been diagnosed with a physical, emotional, mental, or social disability find jobs who have employment barriers that are due to a developmental disability or mental illness. This is done by providing supports for the employee, and employer. The following service organizations work together in this effort: Bay Arenac Behavioral Health,  Arenac Opportunities Incorporated, Do-All, Inc., New Dimensions, Inc., and Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Services may be requested directly or a person may be referred by their mental health case manager/supports coordinator or by another service agency or professional.

Employers also benefit from Supported Employment Services in several important ways. Interested employers are welcome to call and discuss these benefits further.

How do Supported Employment Services help an individual or family?

A person may want to work, but needs supports to be successful. When a person gets and retains a job, everyone benefits. The individual experiences new learning, interactive environments, and a growing sense of self-worth. He or she earns a real income, often for the first time. Families and other loved ones reap the benefits of another positive stimulus for their son, daughter, or sibling, and employers enjoy the rewards of having a dedicated, trusted worker.

How can the employer benefit from Supported Employment Services?

This service helps the employer by matching their needs with the potential employee’s abilities. On-going support is provided through the Employment Specialist to ensure quality production and consistent worker behaviors. Support services result in reduced turnover and absenteeism while increasing productivity.

What are State Hospital Liaison Services?

Support to persons hospitalized in state facilities is a service offered through Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health. Persons are referred to this service upon their admission to a state facility. Referrals can come from other psychiatric facilities or the court system.

How can State Hospital Liaison Services help an individual?

Any resident of Bay or Arenac County who has been found in need of hospitalization at a long-term care facility for a serious and persistent mental illness or a developmental disability may benefit from this service. The Hospital Liaison Coordinator meets with the consumer and the hospital staff on a regular basis to ensure that all appropriate services are being provided. The Hospital Liaison Coordinator also assists in discharge planning when it comes time for the consumer to be released from the hospital back to the community.

What are Senior Outreach Services?

Senior Outreach is a specialty mental health service that works with adults over the age of 60 that have mental health issues and who may have difficulty accessing traditional mental health care. Professional mental health staff provide services in the individual’s home. Program staff are specially trained to understand the issues of senior adults and can help get a person back on track to feeling well again.

Senior Outreach Services include: Assessment Services to determine what may be going on and to develop a Person Centered Plan to address the persons wishes, goals, dreams and desires; Individual and Family Therapy; Case Management Services; Access to Psychiatric/Medication Services; Referrals to community resources; Education regarding mental health conditions and appropriate treatment of those conditions.

How can Senior Outreach Services benefit an individual?

Senior Outreach works with individuals (and their families) to help them learn about and manage their mental illness; to learn effective coping skills; to connect with local resources; and to remain as independent as possible in the community.

What are Residential Placement Services?

Residential Placement is a service offered by Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health that may be available to those that meet established qualifications. The agency may be able to assist a person enrolled in services in securing a residential placement that will provide for their identified needs, but also allows the person choices and opportunities within their living situation. The person enrolled in services, family, and guardians are involved to the fullest extent possible in the placement process. Although Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health is able to assist with residential placement, keeping families together whenever possible and appropriate is a priority for Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health.

How can Residential Placement Services help an individual?

Bay Arenac Behavioral Health has a variety of residential options available for persons with mental illness and developmental disabilities. However, due to limits on space and funding, there may not be immediate availability or openings in all programs. Residential housing options include Supported Housing, Semi-Independent Apartment Program, General Foster Care Homes and Specialized Living Facilities. Residential Services Staff help assess the need for placement, assist in identifying appropriate residential settings based on the referral information provided, and work with the person, their family, and staff until the placement is completed. The goal is to place the individual, whenever possible, in the least restrictive setting based on their individual needs.

How can you access Residential Placement Services?

For more information about this program you may call (989) 895-2300 or 1-800 327-4693.

If the person requesting residential placement already is enrolled in mental health services, they may access the service by talking with their case manager or supports coordinator.

What is Psychiatric and Medication Services?

A psychiatrist typically provides Psychiatric and Medication Services. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with special training in mental health conditions. Upon receiving a referral the psychiatrist meets with the individual to conduct a Psychiatric Evaluation. Based on the information he obtains from the evaluation, the psychiatrist will assign a diagnosis and make treatment recommendations. A person who sees a psychiatrist may need medication to treat a mental health condition or to manage serious behaviors. The psychiatrist will prescribe the medication and will monitor how well the medication is working by meeting with the person for regular medication reviews/medication monitoring.

Psychiatric and Medication Services may include the following: Psychiatric Evaluations; Psychiatric Medications; Medication Reviews through on-going monitoring by a psychiatrist and/or a nurse; Education on the medication, it’s uses, benefits and side effects; and Referrals for lab work or other medical tests.

How do Psychiatric and Medication Services help and individual?

Each person who requests services from Bay Arenac Behavioral Health or (one of its contract agencies) receives a comprehensive evaluation by a case manager, supports coordinator or clinical specialist when they enter services. Based on the assessment, if the mental health worker needs assistance in clarifying a diagnosis or if they believe the person’s mental health condition can be effectively treated with medications then they will refer the person to a psychiatrist. Mental illnesses are physical illnesses that affect the chemicals in a person’s brain. Psychiatric medications are not a cure but they can help restore the brain chemicals to a level that reduces the symptoms and improves the person’s quality of life.

There are some situations where a person only receives psychiatric and medication services. In most circumstances, though, it is best that the person also receive other supportive services in addition to medication to help them understand and manage their illness, to help them learn coping skills, to help them connect with community resources and also to help them become an active part in their community.

What are Outpatient Therapy/Clinical Specialist Services?

Outpatient Therapy (also known as Clinical Specialist Services) uses a talk therapy approach to help people focus on improving their emotional, mental, and social functioning. Services are provided on a one-on-one basis. Outpatient therapy may include the following services: individual and family therapy; assistance with accessing community resources; advocacy and crisis Intervention.

Services may be provided in the person’s home or at the clinic. The frequency of contact is based on the needs of the individual and/or family. Services begin with a complete assessment of the individual and/or family including presenting problem, reason for requesting services, past treatment, family history, etc.

How do Outpatient Therapy Services help an individual?

Anyone who has a Serious Emotional Disturbance, Mental Illness, or Developmental Disability may be eligible for Outpatient Therapy. Persons need to be open to working on change in their life and have the cognitive ability to participate.

A person-centered planning approach is used to help identify an individual’s strengths, dreams, goals, and desires. In this confidential environment, the individual is encouraged to share feelings and experiences with his or her mental health professional. Treatment is focused on helping individual maximize their independence, cope with their illness and/or other life situation, increase their daily living skills, improve their communication, problem solving and coping skills, become involved with community resources and to above all improve their overall quality of life.

How to access Outpatient Therapy Services?

Those individuals not already involved with mental health services may request services directly by calling 1-800-448-5498 (M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.).

If the individual is involved with Case Management or Supports Coordination services, they should discuss the possibility of a referral with their mental health worker. If the Case Manager or Supports Coordinator agrees that a referral to Outpatient Therapy/Clinical Specialist services is appropriate, they will then make the referral directly.

What are OBRA Services?

The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA) is a federally funded program. It requires nursing home facilities to meet certain standards to qualify for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement for persons with a mental illness or a developmental disability.

The OBRA Program staff at Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health provides special services to help meet these standards. These services include reviewing pre-admission screening forms for people entering a nursing facility to identify individuals with a mental illness or a developmental disability. Based on the results of the screening an evaluation to assess the individual’s mental health and treatment needs might be completed prior to admission and annually thereafter. This evaluation is completed to make sure that people who have developmental disabilities or a mental illness are appropriately placed in a nursing facility and to be sure they are receiving appropriate mental health treatment.

How do OBRA Services help an individual?

The OBRA program provides an assessment that helps determine the need for nursing facility care and mental health services. Nursing facility residents with a mental illness or developmental disability may qualify for additional services to help promote independence. A person-centered planning approach is used to help identify an individual’s strengths, dreams, goals, and desires. OBRA staff may help an individual access psychiatric services, individual psychotherapy or group psychotherapy, mental health treatment monitoring, resident and family psycho-education, and specialized services based on the needs of the person. When nursing facility care is no longer needed, OBRA Services staff will help secure alternative living arrangements for individuals with a severe mental illness or a developmental disability.

How can you access OBRA Services?

If you are living in a private residence in the community, you may be referred by your family physician. If you are in a hospital your social worker or discharge planner may refer you if nursing facility care is anticipated. Referrals are accepted from individual families, community physicians, hospitals and nursing homes. Information on the referral process in Bay and Arenac counties may be obtained from OBRA staff by calling toll- free to 1-800-327-4693.

What are North Bay Center Services?

The North Bay Center specializes in helping adults over the age of 26 with developmental disabilities achieve a better quality of life. The Center supports people by helping them to develop skills that will help them become a part of their community. Classes are available in physical fitness, music enrichment, life skills, woodshop, and arts and crafts. Supports are available for people who are interested in doing volunteer work, taking classes in the community, joining community organizations and for exploring social events with the potential for facilitating relationships. Professional services are available for evaluation of the possible need for specialized equipment, plans for learning new skills, and support for medical services. These services can increase the ability to make real connections in the community and build relationships that may last for years.

How do North Bay Center Services help an individual?

The goal of the North Bay Center is to provide support to individuals. We provide supports to people that help them reach their greatest potential in life through a variety of activities and experiences that are their choice, and are part of their dreams for the future.

What are Jail Diversion Services?

Jail Diversion Services are available to adults that have a Serious and Persistent Mental Illness or a Developmental Disability who is subject to arrest or have been arrested for a non-violent felony or misdemeanor. The purpose of Jail Diversion Services is to divert individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities from incarceration by linking them with appropriate mental health or substance use disorder services in the community. Jail Diversion Services can be offered on a pre-booking or post-booking basis. Jail Diversion Services are voluntary, so any eligible individuals must give consent to participate in program services.

How can Jail Diversion Services Benefit an Individual?

Individuals eligible for Jail Diversion Services will receive immediate treatment for their mental health and/or substance abuse condition and will avoid incarceration altogether or receive a shorter jail stay.

How can you access Jail Diversion Services?

Jail Diversion Services can be accessed on a pre-booking basis by contacting the Emergency Services Department who will complete a preadmission screening. Emergency Services may be reached by calling at 1-800-327-4693 or 989-895-2300.

Post-booking services can be accessed through the Jail Liaison who is available to perform mental health evaluations at the jail twice weekly. For more information contact 1-800-327-4693.

What is the Opportunity Center?

The Opportunity Center is a Clubhouse or group experience for adults with serious mental health issues that provides skill development and training in areas such as employment, community involvement, emotional adjustment, psychiatric stability, and adult daily living. Activities may include transitional community-based employment, computer training, meal preparation, money management, clerical tasks, or general social ability.

Members learn to achieve personal, community, and social competencies, and to establish support systems in their lives. The program is community-based and participation is voluntary.

How does the Opportunity Center help an individual?

A Program Manager supports an individual to more fully participate in his or her community. A person-centered treatment approach is used to help identify an individual’s strengths, dreams, goals and desires. Staff and members work together to build self-confidence, increase independence, improve individual skills, and create opportunities for personal growth. Together they also try to accomplish the individual and team activities that are necessary for the development, support and maintenance of the Clubhouse.

What are Case Management Services (CSM Services)?

Case Management Services are often provided in the individual’s home or in other community settings. Case Management Services help people gain access to needed community services and resources in the areas of housing, education, medical/health care, behavioral health, financial, social/ recreational, transportation and vocational services. CSM Services help to coordinate services when the individual is involved with multiple agencies and/or programs. CSM Services coordinate with the psychiatrist when an individual is receiving medication services to treat a mental illness. CSM Services provide supportive services such as social skills training, parent education, help learning new coping skills, development of new ways of relating, supportive counseling, and crisis intervention,

How do Case Management Services help individuals?

Case Management Services help people to manage their mental illness, access community resources, participate in the community and helps them to be as independent as possible. A person-centered planning approach is used to help identify an individual’s strengths, dreams, goals and desires. Services are provided as often as necessary to meet the needs of each individual person.

What is Assertive Community Treatment?

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an intensive treatment program for adults that have a serious mental illness and who have a history of psychiatric inpatient hospitalization or who are at risk for future psychiatric hospitalization; who may have co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse issues; and who have not been able to benefit from traditional case management or outpatient services. Treatment is provided through a team approach using a variety of professionals including social workers/counselors, nurses and a psychiatrist. Services are provided in the community team members will regularly visit at the individuals’ home, at local restaurants, grocery stores, or wherever help or training is needed. Services are provided as often as necessary to meet the needs of each individual person.

How does ACT help an individual?

ACT is a supportive program. Participants receive on-going assessment and monitoring of their symptoms as well as medication to help reduce symptoms. Emotional and educational support is provided to the individual and his or her family. Training and support in daily living skills, socialization, and community survival skills are provided as necessary and appropriate. The treatment team also provides advocacy on behalf of service participants. The treatment team is available 24-hours a day by telephone and on-site, when appropriate.