Rule 24-2-16.8 - AssessmentA. For all people receiving mental health services and/or substance use services, the initial assessment and subsequent assessments are the face-to-face securing of information from the person receiving services and/or collateral contact, of the person's family background, educational/vocational achievement, needs, problem history, history of previous treatment, medical history, current medication(s), source of referral and other pertinent information in order to determine the nature of the person's or family's needs, barriers, strengths, and the most appropriate course of treatment for the person and/or family. B. The initial assessment and subsequent assessments must be completed by a DMH Credentialed Mental Health Therapist, DMH Credentialed IDD Therapist, DMH Credentialed Addictions Therapist or professionally licensed individual.C. The following priority groups of people with serious mental illness, children/youth with serious emotional disturbance and people with an intellectual/developmental disability must receive an initial assessment within fourteen (14) days of the date that services are sought and/or the date the referral is made. 1. People discharged from an inpatient psychiatric facility2. People discharged from an institution3. People discharged or transferred from Crisis Residential Services4. People referred from Crisis Response Services.D. For people in need of Psychiatric/Physician Services, an appointment for these services must be made and documented during the initial assessment.E. For adults receiving Outpatient Mental Health Services, a DMH-approved functional assessment must be conducted within thirty (30) days of initial assessment and at least every twelve (12) months thereafter.F. For children/youth receiving mental health services, a DMH-approved functional assessment must be conducted within (30) days of initial assessment and at least every six (6) months thereafter.1. If a child/youth has been evaluated by the school district or other approved examiner to determine the need/eligibility for special education services, the mental health service provider must document their request and/or receipt of such evaluation results, provided that appropriate written consent was obtained from the parent(s)/legal representative(s) to do so. Copies of the request(s) for the release of information and any special education evaluation results received must be maintained in the person's record.G. People with intellectual/developmental disabilities must be evaluated by one (1) of the Diagnostic and Evaluation Teams located at the IDD Regional Programs, to determine the need for/eligibility for ICF/ IID level of care, ID/DD Waiver, IDD Community Support Program and/or other IDD Services. People's records must include documentation of a Certificate of Developmental Disability (if applicable), the psychological, and social summary.H. For people receiving substance use services, a DMH-approved functional assessment must be conducted within timelines according to the service(s) received.I. For substance use services, all people receiving substance use treatment services must receive the TB and HIV/AIDS Risk Assessment at the time of the intake/initial assessment except under the following circumstances:1. For Transitional Residential Services - The Assessment/Educational Activities Documentation Form (or a copy) is in the person's record verifying the assessment(s) was administered, with documentation of follow-up results if applicable, in primary treatment services completed within the last thirty (30) days.2. For Recovery Support Services - The Assessment/Educational Activities Documentation Form (or a copy) is in the person's record verifying that both risk assessment(s) were administered with documentation of follow-up and results, if applicable, during substance use treatment services completed within the last thirty (30) days.J. In addition to the initial assessment, a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Diagnostic Assessment for people in the DUI services for second and subsequent offenders must contain the following information:1. A motor vehicle report (or evidence of a written request) which is obtained by the service provider from the Department of Public Safety. This person's record must contain: Previous DUIs and Moving Violations.2. The results and interpretations of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) or other DMH-approved diagnostic instrument. The approval must be obtained in writing. Section 41-4-7 of the Mississippi Code, 1972, as Amended