Limitations Regarding SHIP Funded Services

(1) SHIP shall support programs and service providers located in the Commonwealth except when services determined necessary by a SHIP program coordinator are not available within the Commonwealth. (2) Services that SHIP purchases including diagnostic services, shall be provided only after a full exploration of other resources available to the applicant. An applicant must take all necessary steps to obtain benefits to which he/she is legally entitled or for which he/she may be eligible. The program coordinator shall assist the applicant and, as appropriate, the applicant's parent(s), guardian(s) or representative(s) to access all other appropriate resources and public benefits to which the applicant may be entitled. (3) SHIP shallnot be responsible for any evaluations, treatment or services which are not previously authorized in writing by a SHIP program coordinator. (4) The Commonwealth's existingpublic human service system shall be fully utilized, where available and appropriate, for evaluation and provision of services. SHIP does not operate inpatient facilities nor provide direct crisis intervention services. SHIP responds to individuals in crisis by referring them for intervention and stabilizationto the appropriate resources which are available in the Commonwealth, (e.g. the Department of Mental Health screening clinics, hospital emergency rooms, and local police or inpatient psychiatric facilities). (5) A waiting list for certain contracted services may exist. The waiting lists are for specific services and administered by the date of the individual's application to SHIP. SHIP services are subject to state appropriations and availability of limited fiscal resources.