Alabama Administrative Code

Day service programs may be inspected on an annual basis and residential facilities may be inspected on a semi-annual basis under routine circumstances. For the purpose of making such inspections, the inspector may enter, examine, review and survey at any reasonable time, rooms a…

It is the responsibility of each person, partnership, corporation or association operating a certified facility to notify the Office of Life Safety and Technical Services in the event of a structural fire within 24 hours of the incident. The initial notification may be by telepho…

Each facility type and location shall be in compliance with local zoning laws and be approved prior to obtaining certification of the facility. Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-22-.05 Repealed and Replaced: Filed June 16, 1999; effective July 21, 1999. Repealed and Replaced: March…

(1) Plans and specifications for construction of or modifications to the physical facilities for which certification will be requested, or for modifications to existing certified facilities shall be submitted for review. Said plans and specifications shall be prepared in accordan…

The following sets forth a list of deficiencies the seriousness of which requires mandatory and time-limited action. Failure to take corrective action within the prescribed times, unless action is waived or additional time to correct the deficiency is granted by the DMH/MR Commis…

(1) These minimum standards are for Mental Illness, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Community Residential Facilities housing three or less residents. In addition to these minimum standards, the most current edition of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, One and Two Family Dwel…

(1) These minimum standards are for Mental Illness, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse residential services housing 4 to 16 residents. In addition to these standards, the most current edition of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Small Residential Board and Care Occupancy, Inter…

(1) These minimum standards are for Mental Illness, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse residential facilities with over 16 residents. In addition to these standards, the most current edition of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Large Residential Board and Care Occupancy, Intern…

(1) These minimum standards are for Substance Abuse Outpatient Programs and Opiate Replacement Programs. In addition to these standards, the most current edition of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Business Occupancies, International Building Code and National Electrical Code shal…

(1) The Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation is continually working to de-stigmatize the public perception of those with disabilities. It is the mission of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation to assist persons with mental illnesses, intellectual d…

Apartment complexes which are owned by providers shall adhere to the most current edition of the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Apartment Buildings Chapter, International Building Code and National Electrical Code. Plans to construct new apartment complexes shall adhere to the NFPA …

These regulations establish reasonable certification rules for community programs which provide mental health services, mental retardation services, and substance abuse services. Author: DMH/MR Office of Certification Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-50-11. Notes Ala. Admin. Co…

(1) The Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (DMH/MR) was created by Alabama Acts 1965, Act 881, as codified in the Code of Ala. 1975, Sections 22-50-1 through 22-50-90. Pursuant to these provisions, the DMH/MR has the authority to establish standards for al…

Reserved Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-23-.03

(1) No person, partnership, corporation or association of persons shall operate a facility or institution for the care or treatment of any kind of mental or emotional illness or services to the mentally retarded or substance abuse services without first being certified for the ph…

(1) The following entities which provide services to persons with mental illness, mental retardation, or substance abuse may be considered exempt from the certification requirements by the DMH/MR: (a) General or psychiatric hospitals licensed as such by the Alabama Board of Healt…

(1) Agency-specific. (a) Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) - The entity providing mental health services in a coordinated manner that assures access to inpatient and residential care and to community supports for adults with serious mental illness and children and adolescents…

(1) The provider is notified by the Commissioner of the status of certification. (2) Certificates may be issued for a period of up to two (2) years. If a program does not sufficiently meet all DMH/MR certification standards, it may be granted a provisional certification not to ex…

(1) A completed application for certification is must be sent by the provider/applicant to DMH/MR Facilities Certification Office at least sixty (60) days prior to projected date of service implementation. The application process must be completed and temporary operating authorit…

(1) When a certified entity develops new programs or services covered by DMH/MR standards, DMH/MR must be informed of the plan in writing and adequate documentation as specified by DMH/MR must be submitted to permit a determination that the plans are compliant with Life Safety/an…

(1) A review of administrative requirements as set out in the Alabama Administrative Code, Sections 580-2-13, 580-1-2, and 580-5-30, shall be separate from program site visits. (2) A site visit is conducted prior to the expiration of the Letter of Temporary Operating Authority. T…

(2) DMH/MR or its agents has the authority to periodically monitor entities' continuing compliance with standards, or contract requirements, as applicable, to conduct reviews and investigations at any time or to investigate a complaint or when other information is received regard…

(1) Within thirty (30) days of the site visit, the Certification Site Visit Report will be sent to the Agency's Director via certified mail. As applicable, a copy of the report will be sent to the agency's Board of Directors and, as applicable, a copy will be sent to the Executiv…

(1) If the provider receives a provisional or a one-year certificate, or if is has its temporary operating authority extended pursuant to 580-3-23-.10(2)(b), the provider is required to submit to the respective/applicable Division/Office a Plan of Action for issues cited, within …

(1) Actions taken by the respective DMH/MR Division/Office when the agency's Plan of Action is received may include one or more of the following: (a) Approve and recommend certification. (b) Request additional documentation or a supplemental plan of action. (c) Provide technical …

(1) A recommendation by any DMH/MR Division for decertification may be appealed to the Commissioner within fifteen (15) working days of the entity receiving the report/recommendation. The appeal by the entity must specify the precise reason(s) for the appeal and provide documenta…

(1) If the entity does not comply with required certification criteria within a specified timeframe, or if it is found to have consistently failed to meet standards, a recommendation for decertification is made to the DMH/MR Commissioner by the respective DMH/MR Division/Office. …

(2) Site visits for the purpose of certification are scheduled and conducted within a sixty (60) day period prior to the expiration of the entity's current certification. (2) Updated information regarding services may be requested from an entity by any DMH/MR Division at any time…

XXXX Author: DMH/MR Office of Deaf Services Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-50-11. History: New Rule: Filed; effective. People who have limited English proficiency, including those who are deaf, have been limited in their ability to access mental health services. When they do …

(1) "Awareness," goes beyond familiarity in that it also includes beginning to internalize the information regarding a field and to have begun thinking through how it affects one's professional and personal behavior although it does not necessarily include having resolved issues …

In order to effectively provide interpretation from one language to another in mental health settings, certain levels of fluency and knowledge are necessary. The interpreter shall demonstrate professional competencies/knowledge atand the level indicated. (1) Sign language interpr…

The interpreter must demonstrate cross-cultural competencies. (1) The interpreter must be able to explain the impact of stereotypes on mental health service delivery. (2) The interpreter must understand cultural views of mental illness, mental retardation, and addiction specific …

(1) The interpreter must demonstrate knowledge of personal safety issues, including an understanding of at-risk conduct and personal boundaries as it they apply ies to mental health interpreting work and an awareness of de-escalation techniques and universal precautions. (2) The …

(1) An interpreter desiring recognition as a qualified mental health interpreter must accumulate a minimum of 40 clock hours of training in the content areas enumerated in sections 580-3-24-.01 through 580-3-24-.05. (a) The Office of Deaf Services will offer training to meet the …

(1) A certification under § 580-3-23-.06 is valid for twelve (12) months. (2) At least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of a qualified mental health interpreter's certification, the Office of Deaf Services will mail a reminder to the interpreter with a request for submiss…

These regulations establish reasonable administrative certification rules for community programs which provide mental health services, mental retardation services, and/or substance abuse services Author: DMH/MR Office of Certification Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-50-11. Not…

The agency shall maintain and have the following documents/information available for review onsite. (1) Each entity shall have written board-approved operational policies. (2) Each entity shall have articles of incorporation (or charter) and bylaws. (3) Each entity shall have a c…

(1) The records of all administrative staff will be reviewed. The term "administrative staff" is defined as: (a) Executive Director or equivalent (b) Program Director(s) or equivalent(s) (c) Clinical Director(s) or equivalent(s) (d) Business Manager/Chief Financial Officer or equ…

Records of training for all employees shall be available for review. Author: DMH/MR Office of Certification Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-50-11. Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-25-.04 New Rule: Filed February 4, 2005; effective March 11, 2005.

Each entity shall have a written performance improvement/quality enhancement plan. Author: DMH/MR Office of Certification Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-50-11. Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-25-.05 New Rule: Filed February 4, 2005; effective March 11, 2005.

Each entity shall have a written plan that addresses the process of prevention and management of incidents. Author: DMH/MR Office of Certification Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-50-11. Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-25-.06 New Rule: Filed February 4, 2005; effective March 11…

Each entity shall have a written plan/policy regarding the management of client's personal funds which requires, at a minimum, the following. (1) Clients shall manage their personal fund account unless there is a payee, guardian or similar appointee who manages the account for th…

All certified community service providers shall establish and maintain a Human Rights Committee to serve in an advisory capacity to the community program director on client rights-related issues. Author: DMHMR Office of Advocacy Services Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-3-26-.01 New…

(1) The Human Rights Committee shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the community program director. (2) The Human Rights Committee shall be composed of a majority of individuals that are not employed by the program, and shall consist of representatives from each o…

(1) The Committee shall perform the following duties. (a) elect officers (Chairperson; Co-Chairperson; Secretary) to carry-out duties in an orderly fashion, with the Chair and Co-Chair not being employed by the program; (b) develop by-laws and operational procedures necessary to …

The Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Division of Finance is hereby adopting by reference the financial standards of the State Department of Finance. Author: Division of Mental Retardation, DMH/MR. Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-4-25-.01 Statutory Authority: Code …

"It is hereby authorized and directed to receive moneys coming to it by way of fees for services or by appropriations and shall prudently manage such moneys in accordance with sound financial principles." Author: Division of Mental Retardation, DMH/MR. Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 5…

Reserved Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-4-25-.03

Purchasing will be conducted in the Division of Finance in accordance with Code of Ala. 1975, § 41-16-50. Author: Division of Mental Retardation, DMH/MR. Notes Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-4-28-.01 Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 41-16-50.

Purchase requisitions for the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation are classified and defined as follows: (1) Regular Requisition: All requisitions to be handled in a normal manner other than the exceptions covered in (a) and (b) listed below. (2) Emergency Purchase…