MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERY SYSTEM - Program Guide 2021 Revision

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by dhado

Program Guide 2021 Revision outlines the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Mental Health Services Delivery System (MHSDS), which provides incarcerated individuals access to mental health care in the least restrictive environment consistent with safety and security. It defines outpatient and inpatient service components, universal screening at Reception Centers, standardized evaluation and treatment, and case management methods. The guide emphasizes clinical least restrictiveness, timely and cost-effective services, utilization management, and coordinated operation with health care and custody support units.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages646

Reading Time27 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 Program Guide Overview

CHAPTER 2 Reception Center Mental Health Assessment

CHAPTER 3 Correctional Clinical Case Management System

CHAPTER 4 Enhanced Outpatient Program

CHAPTER 5 Mental Health Crisis Bed

CHAPTER 6 Department of Mental Health Inpatient Program

CHAPTER 7 Administrative Segregation

CHAPTER 8 Security Housing Unit

CHAPTER 9 Psychiatric Services Unit

CHAPTER 10 Suicide Prevention and Response

APPENDIX A Glossary of Terms

APPENDIX B Policy Updates to the 2009 Program Guide

APPENDIX C Crosswalk and Copies of Policies Updating the Program Guide

APPENDIX D Clarifying Memo to Chapter 6 of the Program Guide

# MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESDELIVERY SYSTEM PROGRAM GUIDE 2021 REVISION Division of Health Care Services Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation # TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 .................................................................... Program Guide Overview CHAPTER 2 ......................................Reception Center Mental Health Assessment CHAPTER 3 ................................ Correctional Clinical Case Management System CHAPTER 4 ............................................................. Enhanced Outpatient Program CHAPTER 5 .....................................................................Mental Health Crisis Bed CHAPTER 6 ................................ Department of Mental Health Inpatient Program CHAPTER 7 ................................................................. Administrative Segregation CHAPTER 8 ..........................................................................Security Housing Unit CHAPTER 9 ..................................................................... Psychiatric Services Unit CHAPTER 10 ...................................................... Suicide Prevention and Response APPENDIX A..............................................................................Glossary of Terms APPENDIX B………………………....Policy Updates to the 2009 Program Guide APPENDIX C……Crosswalk and Copies of Policies Updating the Program Guide APPENDIX D………..……...Clarifying Memo to Chapter 6 of the Program Guide Program Guide Overview Mental Health Services Delivery System CHAPTER 1 Program Guide Overview The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Mental Health ServicesDelivery System (MHSDS) provides inmates access to mental health services. The MHSDS isdesigned to provide an appropriate level of treatment and to promote individual functioningwithin the clinically least restrictive environment consistent with the safety and security needs ofboth the inmate-patient and the institution. The intent of the MHSDS is to advance the CDCR’s mission to protect the public by providingtimely, cost-effective mental health services that optimize the level of individual functioning ofseriously mentally disordered inmates and parolees in the least restrictive environment. TheMHSDS has been functioning in CDCR since 1994. The MHSDS utilizes a variety ofprofessional clinical, custody, and support staff to provide the best available quality of care toseriously mentally disordered inmates. Outpatient care is provided in an array of treatment levels and modalities including a daytreatment program and an outpatient clinic level of care. The MHSDS is a decentralized, system -wide concept using standardized evaluation and treatment. The MHSDS provides universalscreening for all incoming inmates at Reception Centers and direct transfer from the ReceptionCenter to the treatment facility for further evaluation and/or treatment if needed. The MHSDSutilizes case management techniques to manage the majority of mentally disordered inmates inthe general population and provides for their access to care as needed. The MHSDS provides acontinuum of inpatient care from a contractual relationship with Department of Mental Health(DMH) for acute and intermediate and a short-term crisis inpatient care program within CDCRinstitutions. The goal is to provide constitutionally appropriate levels of mental health treatmentto the incarcerated serious mentally ill inmate in the least restrictive environment. The MHSDScontinues to develop a standardized, automated system of records management and case tracking. Some key concepts are inherent in the design and administration of these services. Theseconcepts are: 1. To deliver services that promote mental health, by developing and reinforcing individualresponsibility. A mental disorder does not necessarily excuse individual responsibility andaccountability. The inmate-patient’s ability to achieve their clinical goals is enha

FAQs

What is the purpose of the CDCR Mental Health Services Delivery System (MHSDS)?

The MHSDS is designed to provide appropriate levels of mental health treatment and promote individual functioning within the clinically least restrictive environment, while meeting safety and security needs.

How does the program guide describe outpatient and inpatient care?

Outpatient care is provided through an array of treatment levels and modalities, while inpatient care includes contractual relationships for acute and intermediate services and a short-term crisis inpatient care program within CDCR institutions.

What screening and evaluation process does the MHSDS use at Reception Centers?

The MHSDS provides universal screening for all incoming inmates at Reception Centers and supports direct transfer to the treatment facility for further evaluation and/or treatment when needed.

Oct 3, 2026

Uploaded by dhado