MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health services are available at all of our Caring Choices Clinics, which are located within a half an hour from the largest cities in each of the 8 parishes of the District. These services are intended for people who aren’t sure if they even have a mental illness and for people who already know that they have a mental illness and need ongoing care (counseling and/or medications).

We have highly trained and experienced staff to help with mental illness, such as depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or anxiety. They can provide you with the ongoing care to keep you healthy and well.

Once you contact the clinic, you will be scheduled for a clinic orientation to get all of the paperwork (client rights, confidentiality, releases of information, etc.) reviewed and signed, and to educate you about the clinic, so you know exactly what to expect. At the end of your first appointment, you will be scheduled to come back in to meet with the social worker and psychiatrist.

At the second appointment you will be given assessments and be interviewed, so that the social worker and psychiatrist can determine a plan of care with you.

ADDICTIVE DISORDERS

Addictive disorder services are available at all of our Caring Choices Clinics and also from some of our contracted providers, which are also located within a half an hour from the largest cities in each of the 8 parishes of the District. These services are intended for people who aren’t sure if their alcohol or drug use constitutes a disorder and people who already know that their alcohol and/or drug use is a problem and need ongoing care (counseling and/or medications).

We have highly trained and experienced staff to help you treat your substance use, misuse, or abuse.

Once you contact the clinic, you will be scheduled for a clinic orientation to get all of the paperwork (client rights, confidentiality, releases of information, etc.) reviewed and signed, and to educate you about the clinic, so you know exactly what to expect. At the end of your first appointment, you will be scheduled to come back in to meet with the addictions counselor and psychiatrist.

At the second appointment you will be given assessments and be interviewed, so that the addictions counselor and psychiatrist can develop a plan of care with you.

When you have scheduled a mental health or addictive disorders appointment, you must bring the following documents with you to assess whether or not you will be charged any fees and, if so, what those fess will cost. If you don’t have all of these documents, please contact the clinic where your appointment is scheduled and let them know what you are missing and they will tell you what to do.

• Photo ID
• Social Security Card
• All Insurance Cards (Medicare; Medicaid; Private Insurance)
• Proof of Household Income:Copy of Last Year’s Tax Return

1. Copy of Check Stubs for Previous Month
2. Copy of SSI/SSD Award Letter
3. Copy of Unemployment Benefits Letter or Workman’s Compensation Benefit Letter
4. Copy of VA Disability Award Letter
5. Statement of Wages/Income on Company Letterhead

• Proof of application/denial for Medicaid within the last 90 days (otherwise, we will apply for you)

*Priority admission is given for treatment of IV drug users, addicted pregnant women, and addicted women who have dependent children. services are offered within 48 hours until admission is accomplished. Addictive disorders services can be offered with no or little waiting period.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Developmental disability services are available through CLHSD, who serves as the Single Point of Entry for people with developmental disabilities who are seeking supports or services (flexible family funds, individual and family support, support coordination, supported living, school transition services, residential, early steps, waivers, and/or community support team) through the Louisiana Department of Health. In order to qualify for supports and services, you must have developmental disability as defined by state law (Louisiana Revised Statutes 28:451-455).

A developmental disability is defined in the law as follows:
1. A severe, chronic disability of a person that:

• Is attributable to an intellectual or physical impairment or combination of intellectual and physical impairments.
• Is manifested before the person reaches age twenty-two.
• Is likely to continue indefinitely.
• Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
  • (a)  Self-care.
  • (b)  Receptive and expressive language.
  • (c)  Learning.
  • (d)  Mobility.
  • (e)  Self-direction.
  • (f)  Capacity for independent living.
  • (g)  Economic self-sufficiency.
• Is not attributed solely to mental illness.
• Reflects the person’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated, or

2. A substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition in a person from birth through age nine which, without services and support, has a high probability of resulting in those criteria listed in #1 later in life that may be considered to be a developmental disability