Program Scope of Services - Outpatient Mental Health Center (OMHC)

Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient

 

Population(s) served:
Freedom provides care to Adults, children, ages 5 and up and adolescents who reside in Maryland.

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Special populations:

In addition to the general population served, this program also services children and adolescents, aging and older adults, pregnant women, persons with intellectual or other developmental disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS, IV drug users, DUI offenders, sexual offenders, and substance abuse offenders.

Settings:
We offer our services in our office for most outpatient services, or in community and in-home. 
Referrals to Freedom’s Intensive Outpatient Services may occur for some clients based on symptoms. If our clients need more intensive care like a hospital medical unit, a nursing home, an adult medical daycare center, and emergency rooms- we cannot deliver services in those locations.

Hours of services:
7:30 AM to 5:30 PM 
After hours for crisis and scheduled appointments only

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Days of services:
Monday – Friday
Weekends for crisis and scheduled appointments only

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Frequency of services:
As scheduled as needed basis

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Payer sources:
Medicaid, Medicare, Cigna, private pay

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Fees:
Current approved Medicaid and Medicare fee schedules for Maryland

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Referral sources:
Self, walk-ins, community agencies, insurers, healthcare providers, governmental agencies

Specific services offered:
All services are rendered by independent contractors who are licensed or certified mental health professionals.  

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Evaluative services provided:  assessment and diagnosis by the second visit, co-occurring substance abuse screening assessment, comprehensive psychiatric assessments for minors, review of somatic status.  Treatment planning: individualized treatment plan by the fifth visit and reviews every 6 months thereafter.  

Treatment services provided: mental health treatment to include individual therapy, family therapy and group therapy; psychological evaluation and testing; co-occurring substance abuse treatment; medication management services; on-call and crisis intervention services; intensive outpatient program. Support services provided: recommendations and referrals to psychiatric rehabilitation and support services, somatic care, speech and language services, vision and hearing services, special instruction, special education, or other educational interventions, occupational therapy, self-help organizations, and substance abuse services; education regarding medication, case coordination services, assistance with entitlement program applications; support while in a psychiatric facility, RTC, RCS or detention center.

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Entry criteria:
Must demonstrate motivation for treatment and present with symptoms of mental illness.  Services are available to participants with Medicaid, certain dually eligible Medicare recipients, and uninsured eligible participants.  If a person is uninsured, the program may assist with applying for Medicaid and register the person to receive temporary insurance coverage.

 

Transition / Exit criteria:  
Discharge/transition planning occurs throughout all phases of the program. The person served has met discharge/transition criteria when the goals of the individual plan are achieved and referral to support services is completed, when appropriate. Additionally, discharge may occur if the person no longer attends regularly or chooses not to actively participate in the program. 

Description of the program:  
OMHC programs are provided in a clinic setting. A wide range of services are organized within a comprehensive therapeutic environment that includes screening and assessment, diagnostic determination, individual and family counseling, psychiatric consultations, medication management, crisis intervention, group counseling, client advocacy, and referral to community resources. Clients are assigned to licensed clinicians who assist in individual planning and care. Services additionally include consultation with family and/or professional care providers.

 

Philosophy of the program:
Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (OMHC) programs to assist persons with developing and maintaining coping skills that facilitate adjustment and integration within their living environments and community. Clients and family members are empowered to make decisions about their care with the expected outcome of an increased quality of life.  Services are designed and implemented to: support the recovery, health, or well-being of the persons or families served; enhance the quality of life of the persons served; reduce symptoms or needs and build resilience; restore and/or improve functioning; support the integration of the persons served into the community.

 

Program goals:
The overall goal of OMHC programs is to increase the quality of life through the provision of specialized outpatient mental health services.  Specific areas of focus may include:  Recovery, Vocation/Education, Parenting, Relationships, Spirituality, Coping Skills, Anger Management, Grief and Loss.  OMHC programs seek to achieve the following specific objectives: To improve mood and affect in daily living; To improve social, familial, and social adjustment and integration; To reduce the need for a higher level of care.

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Service treatment modalities:

One of the most important considerations when implementing an evidence-based practice is fidelity (sometimes called adherence or integrity) to the original approach. Preserving the components that made the original practice effective can directly impact the success of desired outcomes. We maintain fidelity to treatment modalities in Evidence-Based Trauma Informed Practice. 

 

Some modalities include:  

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• CBT

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Psychodynamic psychotherapy.

• Psychoanalysis. 

• Gestalt therapy. 

• Existential therapy.

• Client-centered or Rogerian therapy.

• Eclectic psychotherapy.

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An interdisciplinary approach to person centered treatment is provided by a team of licensed professionals and trained para-professions.  Our team includes 5 Licensed Professional Counselors, 3 licensed social workers, 2 registered nurses, 2 licensed psychologists, several somatic and psychiatric nurse practitioners, 11 addictions counselors and 6 trained paraprofessionals.  We also work with bachelor's and master’s level student interns under supervision for licensure.  The program is supported by a full-time medical director, 6 full time clinical supervisors, and several administrative and support staff..  The department has dedicated PRN resources that are utilized to cover for volume increases, staff time off, or other unforeseen circumstances.

 

Program staffing levels are determined by provider template schedules.  Schedules for each licensed provider include an average of 6 clinical appointments/day.  Assigned groups are addressed in staff schedules.  Referral volumes and scheduling determine if additional staffing arrangements should be made. Committed program PRN resources are utilized to limit wait times when referral volumes fluctuate and to accommodate needs for scheduling appointment times.

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This information is posted on the website and in brochures and is updated annually.

 

Annual review completed by Vernon Holmes, Jr., MBA, Chief Executive Officer on 3/12/2019

Annual review completed by Vernon Holmes, Jr., MBA, Chief Executive Officer on 4/1/2020

Annual review completed by Vernon Holmes, Jr., MBA, Chief Executive Officer on 7/28/2021

Annual review completed by Vernon Holmes, Jr., MBA, Chief Executive Officer on 1/13/2022