Sec. 10.21.28.06. Eligibility, Screening, and Enrollment

A. Eligibility. An individual is eligible for MHVP services if:

(1) The individual:

(a) Is a participant in the public mental health system;

(b) Has a diagnosis listed in COMAR 10.09.70.02;

(c) Is an individual for whom competitive employment has not occurred, has been interrupted, or has been intermittent;

(d) Wants to work; and

(e) Is in need of ongoing MHVP services to enable the individual to choose, obtain, or maintain employment; and

(2) The services are preauthorized by the CSA of the jurisdiction in which the individual resides.

B. Screening.

(1) Upon receipt of a referral and when appropriate, the program shall request authorization from the appropriate CSA to provide services.

(2) Within 10 working days of receipt by the program of CSA authorization for MHVP assessment under §A(2) of this regulation, staff assigned by the program director, in collaboration with the individual, shall conduct a screening assessment to:

(a) Assess the individual's:

(i) Interest in employment and desire to work;

(ii) Willingness to participate in MHVP services; and

(iii) MHVP services needs; and

(b) Determine the program's ability to address the individual's employment needs identified in §B(2)(a)(iii) of this regulation.

(3) After the screening under §B(2) of this regulation, if the program director determines that a program's services are not appropriate for an individual, the program director shall, in writing, promptly:

(a) Inform the individual of the determination and the reason;

(b) Provide the individual with recommendations for alternative services;

(c) With proper consent, notify the family or significant others designated by the individual, of the determination and of any recommendations for other services; and

(d) Notify the CSA of the determination.

(4) Within 10 working days of the screening conducted under §B(2) of this regulation, unless the program director has notified the individual and the CSA of the determination under §B(3) of this regulation, the program director shall notify the individual that the program either:

(a) Accepts the individual and identifies a date that the program proposes to initiate services to the individual; or

(b) Will accept the individual, following an updated review of the individual's eligibility status, when program capacity permits.

(5) If the individual is accepted under §B(4)(b) of this regulation, the program director shall inform the individual of the:

(a) Individual's placement on a waiting list, if any; and

(b) Estimated date services may be initiated.

(6) If the individual is placed on a waiting list under §B(5)(a) of this regulation, the program director shall discuss with the individual:

(a) The option of remaining on the program's waiting list until the date established under §B(5)(b) of this regulation; and

(b) Alternative services that are available.

C. Enrollment. Within 10 working days of the date established under §B(4)(a) of this regulation or following an updated review under §B(4)(b) of this regulation, MHVP staff assigned by the program director shall:

(1) Provide an orientation to the program, including:

(a) A description of the MHVP services available; and

(b) The individual's rights and responsibilities; and

(2) In writing, inform the individual of the policy and procedures for discharge, including conditions, as outlined in Regulation .11D of this chapter, that may result in the program's discharging an individual, and making recommendations for alternative services.