24 MAC Pt. 2, R. 31.2
Substance Use Disorders Community Living Handbook
Cite as 24 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, R. 31.2
Substance Use Disorders Community Living Handbook
A. In addition to information contained in the agency provider’s policies and procedures
manual, agency providers of Substance Use Disorder Residential Treatment Services must
develop a handbook which includes all applicable policies and procedures. Handbooks are
to be provided to the person/parent(s)/legal representative(s) during orientation. The
Community Living Handbook must be readily available for review by employees and must
be updated as needed.
B. All agency providers must document that each person (and/or parent[s]/legal
representative[s]) served is provided with a handbook during orientation on the day of
admission. The agency provider must document the review of the handbook with the
person/parent(s)/legal representative(s) annually.
C. The service and site-specific handbook must be written in a person-first, person-friendly
manner that can be readily understood by the person/parent(s)/legal representative(s).
D. Agency providers must have a written plan for providing the handbook information in a
person’s language of choice when necessary.
E. At a minimum, the handbook must address the following:
1. A person-friendly, person-first definition and description of the service being provided.
2. The philosophy, purpose and overall goals of the service, including but not limited to:
(a) Methods for accomplishing stated goals and objectives;
(b) Expected results/outcomes; and
(c) Methods to evaluate expected results/outcomes.
3. A description of how the service addresses the following items:
(a) Visitation guidelines;
(b) External communication guidelines (phone, mail, email, etc.);
(c) Dating;
(d) Off-site activities;
(e) Household tasks;
(f) Curfew;
(g) Use of items for personal consumption (e.g., tobacco, dietary supplements, over-
the-counter medications, food or drink items, etc.); and
(h) Respecting the rights of other people’s privacy, safety, health and choices (Refer to
Chapter 14).
4. A description of the meal schedule is to be provided. Meals must be provided at least
three (3) times per day, and at a minimum, one (1) snack must be provided throughout
the day. Documentation of the meal planning must be available for review, and
documentation must include development of a menu with input from the person living
in the residence that includes varied, nutritious meals and snacks and description of
how/when meals and snacks will be prepared.
5. Personal hygiene care and grooming expectations, including assistance available.
6. Medication schedule.
7. Guidelines for prevention of and protection from infection, including communicable
diseases.
8. Policy regarding the search of the person’s room, person, and/or possessions, as
outlined in Chapter 14.
9. Policy regarding urine drug screening for prohibited/illegal substances, as outlined in
Chapter 14.
10. Description of the employee’s responsibility for implementing the protection of the
person and their personal property and rights.
F. Orientation of the person to the service including:
1. Familiarization of the person with the living arrangement and neighborhood;
2. Introduction to support personnel and other people (if appropriate);
3. Description of the written materials provided upon admission (e.g., handbook, etc.);
and
4. Description of the process for informing people/parent(s)/legal representative(s) of
their rights, responsibilities, and any service restrictions or limitations prior to or at the
time of admission.
G. Methods for assisting people in arranging and accessing routine and emergency medical
and dental care including:
1. Agreements with local physicians and dentists to provide routine care;
2. Agreements with local physicians, hospitals, and dentists to provide emergency care;
and
3. Process for gaining permission from parent(s)/legal representative(s), if necessary.