Voluntary Admissions

(1) To be eligible for regular voluntary admission to a center, a person must be a resident of the State of Tennessee with intellectual or developmental disabilities who applies for voluntary admission and does not lack capacity to apply under T.C.A. § 33-3-218, or an adult whose conservator or legal representative applies for voluntary admission. (2) Consistent with T.C.A. § 33-1-204, there is no right or entitlement to admission to a departmental facility of a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities. If suitable accommodations are not available, there is a less restrictive alternative available, or admission is not otherwise appropriate for an individual, alternative services should be considered by the applicant. The Department will develop admission criteria and specify what types of services are offered at such facility. (3) Applications. (a) An application or request for voluntary admission shall be submitted to the center or to the appropriate Regional Director on behalf of the applicant. A complete package of information conforming to the criteria specified by the Committee shall accompany the application. The information submitted shall include, but is not limited to, the reason for the referral and the specific needs that can be met in the facility for which admission is sought. (b) Upon receipt of an application, the Department shall undertake an evaluation of the applicant to assess the person’s need for services and supports. In making this assessment, the Department shall also consider the least restrictive alternatives available to provide appropriate services and supports and whether suitable accommodations are available at the Department’s facilities based upon the above criteria. (c) The application and the Department’s findings, reports and recommendations shall be forwarded to the Director of Person Centered Practices, and if complete, it shall be reviewed by the Health Services Director, who shall determine when and whether to convene a Statewide Admission Review Committee meeting.