Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Programs

PURPOSE: This rule prescribes policies and procedures for outpatient mental health treatment programs. (1) Each agency that is certified by the department as an outpatient mental health treatment program shall comply with all requirements set forth in Department of Mental Health Core Rules for Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs, 9 CSR 10-7.010 through 9 CSR 10-7.140. (A) The agency shall have written policies and procedures defining eligibility for services, screening, admission, and clinical assessment to assist in the support of each individual. (B) The program shall maintain reasonable hours to assure accessibility. (2) The program shall ensure an intake screening and admission assessment is conducted in accordance with 9 CSR 10-7.030 (1) and (2). (A) The following services shall be provided on an outpatient basis, in accordance with individual needs: 1. Crisis prevention and intervention; 2. Treatment planning; 3. Individual and group counseling; 4. Continuing recovery planning; and 5. Information and education. (3) Consent to Treatment. Each individual served or a parent/ guardian must provide informed, written consent to treatment. (A) A copy of the consent form, which must include the date of consent and signature of the individual served or a parent/ guardian, shall be retained in the individual record. (B) Consent to treat shall be updated annually, including the date of consent and signature of the individual served or a parent/guardian, and be maintained in the individual record. (4) Services shall be provided under the direction of an individual treatment plan as specified in 9 CSR 10-7.030(4). (A) An initial treatment goal shall be developed at intake to address immediate needs during the admission process to the outpatient treatment program. (B) The admission assessment and treatment plan shall be completed within the first three (3) outpatient visits. 1. Each individual shall participate in the development of their treatment plan. 2. For children and youth, the parent or guardian must participate in the development of the treatment plan and the child/youth shall participate, as appropriate. (C) Treatment plans shall be reviewed and updated every ninety (90) days to reflect the individual’s progress and changes in treatment goals and services. (D) Treatment plans must be revised and rewritten at least annually to align with the annual assessment to reflect current needs and goals. (E) Treatment plans shall be approved by a licensed mental health professional as defined in 9 CSR 30-4.035(2)(A). (5) Individual and group counseling must be delivered by a licensed mental health professional. (6) Each agency shall maintain an organized clinical record system in accordance with 9 CSR 10-7.030(13) which ensures easily retrievable, complete, and usable records stored in a secure and confidential manner. (A) Each agency shall implement written procedures to assure quality of individual records, including a routine review to ensure documentation requirements are being met. AUTHORITY: sections 630.050 and 630.655, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed June 14, 1985, effective Dec. 1, 1985. Amended: Filed Feb. 28, 2001, effective Oct. 30, 2001. Amended: Filed April 29, 2019, effective Nov. 30, 2019. Amended: Filed March 9, 2022, effective Sept. 30, 2022. *Original authority: 630.050, RSMo 1980, amended 1993, 1995, 2008, and 630.655, RSMo 1980.