Pre-affidavit Screening and Civil Commitment

Pre-affidavit Screening and Civil Commitment A. Pre-affidavit Screening and a Civil Commitment Examination are two (2) separate events which include screening and examinations, inclusive of other services, to determine the need for civil commitment and/or other mental health services, including outpatient or inpatient commitment. These services also include assessment and plans to link people with appropriate services and can only be provided by a DMH/C provider. B. The DMH/C must have a written plan that has been implemented, which describes how the service meets the requirements of the Mississippi civil commitment statutes. This plan must describe by county: 1. The system for conducting Pre-affidavit Screenings, including time of notification and time of Pre-affidavit Screening completion; 2. The system for conducting Civil Commitment Examinations; 3. The system for handling court appearances; 4. The services that are offered for the family and/or significant others; and 5. The system for assuring that people being screened and/or evaluated for civil commitment and their family or significant others have access to an employee knowledgeable in the civil commitment process. C. The Pre-affidavit Screening must be conducted by qualified employees of a CMHC, and: 1. Be performed by: (a) A licensed psychologist or physician; or (b) A person with a master’s degree in a mental health or related field who has received training and certification in Pre-affidavit Screening by DMH; or (c) A RN who has received training and certification in Pre-affidavit Screening by DMH. (d) Additionally, employees who meet requirements (b) and (c) above, have completed and provide documentation of at least six (6) months of experience working with people with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance. 2. Be performed in accordance with current Mississippi civil commitment statutes. 3. Be documented on the forms and provide the information required by the civil commitment law and/or DMH. 4. Master’s level employees on the Mobile Crisis Response Team must be certified by DMH to complete Pre-affidavit Screenings by DMH.