N.J. Admin. Code § 10:31-2.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 17, September 3, 2024

Section 10:31-2.1 - Functions of a screening service

(a) A screening service shall perform the following functions:

1. Assessment of the crisis situation and identification of stabilization, diversion, and support services needed and/or screening for commitment. This shall take place throughout the geographic area served by the service, including such sites as other emergency services, jails, and nursing homes.

i. When evaluation of suicide risk is indicated, the assessment shall include an evidence-based, structured, or standardized tool designed to assess suicide risk;

2. Provision of emergency and consensual treatment to the person receiving the assessment;

3. Crisis/early intervention counseling;

4. Referral via personal contact to the most appropriate, least restrictive treatment setting indicated, linkage and follow-up in order to maintain contact with all consumers until they are engaged in another service licensed by the appropriate authority, where applicable, or are no longer in crisis;

5. Initiation of involuntary commitment proceedings, where appropriate and pursuant to 30:4-27.1 0 and 10:31-2.3;

6. Operation of a 24-hour hotline, which shall be answered at all times directly by a certified screener, crisis intervention specialist, or other clinical personnel under the supervision of the screener or crisis intervention specialist and which shall receive calls that have been forwarded from an AES during off hours;

7. Maintenance of 24 hour per day screening outreach capability, which shall include provision of screening services in any location in the geographic area under the following circumstances:

i. Whenever there is indication that there may be a reasonable likelihood of dangerousness to self, others or property due to mental illness;

ii. Whenever the individual is unable or unwilling to come to the screening service or when transporting the individual may put him or her or others at further risk; and

iii. If the consumer's history, behavior or location presents safety concerns that cannot be resolved through consultation by the screening outreach team with the police and coordination of transportation to the screening service with the police;

8. Provision of extended crisis evaluation bed(s) (ECEBs) with 24-hour capability, for the purpose of assessment, intensive supervision, medication monitoring and crisis stabilization;

9. Provision of, or arrangement for, appropriate medical services for consumers who are receiving screening services;

10. Provision of medication monitoring, which shall include medication for the purpose of crisis stabilization. Medication shall be administered in accordance with N.J.S.A. 30:4-27.11e.a(1) and shall not be given to consumers in non-emergency situations without their consent;

11. Arranging transportation of consumers in need of involuntary commitment to inpatient treatment to the receiving facility;

12. Provision of face-to-face follow-up visits and/or telephone calls until the crisis is resolved or linkage completed.

i. Consistent with the agency's policies regarding informed consent, the designated screening service shall make referral for aftercare services with mental health care providers who are licensed by the appropriate authority, as applicable.

ii. Affiliation agreements shall be developed and maintained with other community agencies to ensure priority access to psychiatric evaluation for medication within seven days of referral and to other mental health services within 14 days of referral. The screening service shall be responsible for medication until this responsibility is transferred to another agency;

13. In accordance with the procedures set forth at N.J.A.C. 10:31-2.4, determine if a consumer brought to the screening service pursuant to a court order issued as the result of the consumer's failure to comply with the terms of their conditional discharge from involuntary commitment to treatment is in need of involuntary commitment to treatment;

14. Psycho-educational and/or supportive services to consumers and family members who are involved at time of initial crisis;

15. Advocate, in conjunction with affiliated mental health care providers, for services to flexibly meet consumer needs;

16. Maintain a written affiliation agreement with the designated STCF(s) serving the screening services' geographic area;

17. Develop and maintain a written plan to provide training or technical assistance for police and other community referral sources directly or through affiliations with other agencies.

i. The screening service may accomplish police training through presentation of a Division-approved curriculum at the police academy and through periodic consultation and advisement to the police and other community referral sources.

ii. Training shall be provided on a continuing basis and shall include, but not be limited to, orientation to the screening system, provisions contained within the screening law, explanation of mental illness, crisis intervention skills, systems interaction and transportation;

18. Develop a plan, in collaboration with the general hospital that houses the screening service, where applicable, for transporting consumers in crisis, in accordance with all applicable Federal and State laws. This plan shall include transportation between an AES or screening service and transportation from these services to an appropriate treatment facility (for example, psychiatric facility, psychiatric unit of a general hospital, special psychiatric hospital or STCF), once identified;

19. Provide, as needed, crisis intervention training and consultation for AES providers, other community referral sources and police, in the geographic area;

20. Develop and coordinate a mechanism for acute care system review in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:31-5;

21. Maintain a system for tracking currently available treatment openings in the acute care system for which the screening service is granted access either directly, by subcontract or by affiliation; and

22. Ensure that screening services are made known to the community at large through, among other modalities, publication of services in the local telephone directory.

(b) Enhanced screening services shall perform additional duties, as negotiated and agreed to in their contracts with the Division.

(c) A screening service shall maintain a physical environment that is cognizant of, and responsive to, the varying needs and vulnerabilities of the diverse population it serves, especially children and older persons. When such vulnerable individuals are presented, screening staff shall take steps to ensure that they are protected from exposure to dangerous, potentially upsetting or inappropriate stimuli.

(d) Each screening service shall submit to the appropriate Division regional office and have approved by the Division a plan for prioritizing response to screening outreach calls. The plan shall include the following provisions:

1. Response timeframes that reflect the unique characteristics of the geographic area;

2. A requirement that outreach shall be provided in a timely manner when the screener determines, based on clinically relevant information, that the person is dangerous by reason of mental illness and unable or unwilling to come to the screening service;

3. A protocol for the involvement of the police, other emergency response personnel and other professionals; and

4. A plan for the expansion of screening services to provide additional prevention, intervention and stabilization services, when resources are available.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:31-2.1

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 537(a), effective 1/16/2018