Section 441.24.36. Mobile response.

Crisis response staff provide on-site, in-person intervention for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The mobile response staff provide crisis response services in the individual’s home or at locations in the community. Staff work in pairs to ensure staff safety and the safety of the individual served. A single staff member may respond if another person who meets one of the criteria listed in paragraph 24.24(2)“a” will be available on site. Twenty-four-hour access to a mental health professional is required.

         24.36(1) Performance benchmark. Mobile response services are delivered to individuals in crisis in a timely manner.

         24.36(2) Performance indicators.

            a.               Mobile response staff are dispatched immediately after crisis screening has determined the appropriate level of care. If the mobile response staff already are responding to another call, staff explain to the caller that there may be a delay in receiving a mobile response and offer an alternative response.

            b.               Mobile response staff have face-to-face contact with the individual in crisis within 60 minutes from dispatch. If the mobile response staff are responding to another request, there may be a delay in receiving mobile response and an alternative response should be provided.

            c.               Data is collected to track and trend response time from initial dispatch, the time to respond to dispatch when a team is already in response; diversion from or admission to hospitals, correctional facilities and other crisis response services. The data for each fiscal year is reported to the department within 60 days of the close of the fiscal year.

            d.               When an action plan is developed, a copy is sent within 24 hours, with the individual’s signed consent, to service providers, the individual and others as appropriate.

            e.               The following information is documented in the individual’s service record:

             (1)             Triage and referral information.

             (2)             Reduction in the level of risk present in the crisis situation.

             (3)             Coordination with other mental health resources.

             (4)             Names and affiliation of all individuals participating in the mobile response.

            f.                A follow-up appointment with the individual’s preferred provider will be made, and mobile response staff will follow up with the individual and document contact or attempt to contact on a periodic basis until the appointment takes place.

[ARC 1660C, IAB 10/15/14, effective 12/1/14]