Case Management Standards

Standards Guide - Definitions

• "Abuse" means the willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation or cruel punishment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental anguish; sexual abuse or exploitation; or the willful deprivation of essential needs.

• "Advocate" means an employee of the Office of Advocacy.

• "Caretaker" means an individual who has or who assumes responsibility for the care of an adult.

• "Client" or "Consumer" means a person applying for or receiving mental retardation supports and /or services, or the person for whom those services are requested.

• "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services.

• “Community Case Manager” - means a person hired through a contracted provider agency with the responsibility for coordinating a persons planning process and services.

• "Consultant" means an individual, agency, form, or organization that is independent of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services

• "Consumer" or "Client" means a person applying for or receiving mental retardation supports and /or services, or the person for whom those services are requested.

• "Crisis" means any incident, behavior, activity, or pattern of activity, which could lead to the loss of a person's residence, program, or employment. A crisis may also be an incident that results in undue mental or emotional stress or trauma that may endanger the welfare of the person.

• "Deaf" means a condition in which a person's sense of hearing is non functional for the purpose of spoken communication; with or without hearing aids. Communication must occur through visual and/or tactile means.

• "Department" means the Department Behavioral and Developmental Services (BDS).

• "Danger" means a situation or condition of abuse, neglect exploitation or serious harm.

• "Emergency" means an unforeseen event or condition requiring prompt action.

• "Emergency Services" mean those services necessary to avoid serious harm.

• "Guardianship" means a legal relationship by virtue of which a guardian is given authority to make decisions regarding the person of a ward. The guardian of an individual who is mentally retarded or incapacitated adult may be appointed by will or by a court pursuant to 18-A MRSA 5-301 et seq, and 5-601 et seq.

• "Individual Support Coordinator" (ISC) means the regional staff of Mental Retardation Services with the responsibility for coordinating a persons planning process and services.

• "MRS" means Mental Retardation Services of the Department.

• "Personal Planning" means a person centered planning process (PCP) where the needs and desires of the person are articulated and identified and an action plan is created to address those needs and desires.

• "Primary Support Staff" means the individuals who have or who assume responsibility for the care of an adult.

• "Public Guardian" means Mental Retardation Services or the Department of Human Services when appointed as such by a court pursuant to 18-A MRSA 5-601 et seq.