Case Management for the Severely Mentally Ill is a voluntary case management program for adults with severe mental illness. Case management is the process by which adults with severe mental illness receive support in negotiating for various services that they want and need to improve their quality of life.

Adults with a serious mental illness are those over 18 years old who currently or at any time during the last year, have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to merit diagnostic criteria specified within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that has resulted in functional impairment which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

In order to qualify for services, the individual must have been hospitalized for mental illness more than once in the last two years or have clinically significant symptoms of mental illness which have persisted for a continuous period of at least two years or have a history of one or more episodes with marked disability and the mental illness is expected to continue for a two years period of time.  Finally, they must demonstrate functional impairment in two or more of the following areas:  interpersonal functioning, societal/role functioning, physical functioning, daily living/personal care functioning and cognitive/intellectual functioning.

The client must have a clinical practitioner in the Purchase Area of Kentucky (plus Livingston County) whom they see regularly. They must demonstrate a willingness to work with a Service Coordinator and to develop and work toward personal goals.

The SMI Program may provide the following services:  Interagency Collaboration, Individualized Service Planning, Resource Consultation, Illness Management and Recovery Services, or funds to assist with meeting their.

Only Western State Hospital or a clinical practitioner may refer an adult for SMI Case Management Services.  The goal of the program is to assist those with severe mental illness to remain in the community rather than experience long-term hospitalizations.

The Severely Emotionally Disabled Program is a voluntary children’s case management program for children with severe emotional disabilities and their families.

A child with a severe emotional disability means a child with a clinically significant disorder of thought, mood, perception, orientation, memory or behavior that is listed in the current edition of the DSM and that presents substantial limitations that have persisted for one year or are judged by a mental health professional to be at high risk of continuing for one year without professional intervention in at least two of the following five areas: self care, interpersonal relationships, family life, self direction and education, or has been given a  DSM V diagnosis; unless diagnosis is solely chemical dependency or intellectual/developmental disabilities.

They must have primary residence in the Purchase Area of Kentucky (plus Livingston County). The child must demonstrate multi-agency involvement (two or more agencies). Examples include: DCBS, Mental Health, School, Courts, DJJ, etc.

The SED Program may provide the following services: Interagency Collaboration, Resource Consultation, School Support, In-Home Services, Therapeutic Mentoring, and Intensive Family Based Support Services and funds to assist with meeting the needs of SED children and their families.

Anyone with the parent’s/guardian’s permission can refer a child for SED services. The goal of the SED Program is to help keep the child in their least restrictive environment – their home, school, and community.

Ideally, the SED Program is designed to be a short-term intervention. The desired length of involvement is one year; however, the length of involvement varies depending upon the specific need of the child/family and the recommendations made by the LIST committee.

There are no fees involved with accessing services from the SED Program. If the child has a medical card, then Medicaid is billed for SED case management services. If the child is not eligible for a medical card, then the State General Fund is billed for SED case management services.

Case Management provides the collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocacy for individuals diagnosed with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Case Management includes screening, assessment/risk management, development of a person centered plan of care, referrals to key services providers for specialized services and/or adaptive equipment, implementing service arrangements, and monitoring of services to provide quality cost effective outcomes.

The Case Manager provides individualized service delivery based on a comprehensive assessment that is used to develop the service plan. The plan is developed with the individual and their support team and reflects their choices and preferences. The goal is to empower the individual and ensure they are involved in every aspect of the planning and service delivery.