COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES TEAMS
 

The Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Division of Mental Retardation (DMR), provides a comprehensive array of specialized services for individuals in the State of Alabama who meet criteria for services, particularly those who do not receive services in the State-operated developmental center.

1.         Three (3) Comprehensive Support Services teams are available to assess the need for and assist with providing an array of supports to individuals who require specialized services. Additionally, these teams will assist providers with developing internal capacity related to these and other specialty areas.

2.         The three Comprehensive Support Services teams are located in Decatur, Wetumpka, and Mobile, and have offices located along with the Regional Community Services offices in each MR service region.  The division of responsibilities for State-wide coverage is as follows:

Decatur team  - provides services for Regions I and II;

Wetumpka team - provides services for Regions IV and V; and

Mobile team  - provides services for Region III.

3.         Each of the three Comprehensive Support Services teams will minimally consist of the following personnel as described by the current personnel classification system. The Mental Retardation Division’s Director of Psychological and Behavioral Services is responsible for supervising the team leaders.

A.        One (1) Ph.D. Psychologist  -  These individuals will serve as the team leaders and are responsible for coordinating the development and maintenance of procedures and protocols (standardized across teams) addressing all activities of the team, including the intake process.

B.         One (1) Psychological Associate

C.         Two (2) Psychological Assistants

D.        One (1)  Primary Care Physician

E.         One (1) Psychiatrist

F.         One (1) Dentist

G.        One (1) Case Manager/QMRP for children

4.         Individuals Served: Individuals who meet the AAMR definition of having mental retardation and present issues which require diagnostic or treatment consultation are eligible for these services.

5.         Services Provided:  Specialized services, consultations, evaluations, and training services are provided in a manner that is designed to increase the capacity and expertise of organizations serving the consumer, as well as to assist the consumer, and are organized by specialty; however, Comprehensive Support Services team member activities overlap specialty areas requiring interaction in an inter-disciplinary manner. Therefore, any of the activities described below may require the participation of multiple team specialists.

        A.        Behavioral Services

B.        Psychiatric Consultation Services

C.        Medical Consultation Services

D.        Dental Services

6.         Accessing Services:  In order to access Comprehensive Support Services, provider agencies and/or families should contact their Regional Community Services Office. The Directors of these offices have established procedures for processing and prioritizing referrals.