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Washington Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 23, 2016) |
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Title 388. Social and Health Services, Department of |
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Chapter 388-865. Community mental health and involuntary treatment programs. |
Section 388-865-0262. Behavioral health organizations—Behavioral health ombuds office.
Latest version.
- A behavioral health organization (BHO) must provide unencumbered access to and maintain the independence of the behavioral health ombuds service as set forth in the contract between the BHO and the division of behavioral health and recovery (DBHR). The BHO and DBHR must ensure the inclusion of representatives of individual and family advocate organizations when revising the terms of the contract regarding the requirements of this section. Behavioral health ombuds members must be current consumers of the mental health or substance use disorder system, or past consumers or family members of past consumers. The BHO must maintain a behavioral health ombuds office that:(1) Is responsive to the age and demographic character of the region and assists and advocates for individuals with resolving issues, grievances, and appeals at the lowest possible level;(2) Is independent of agency service providers;(3) Supports individuals, family members, and other interested parties regarding issues, grievances, and appeals;(4) Is accessible to individuals, including having a toll-free, independent phone line for access;(5) Is able to access service sites and records relating to individuals with appropriate releases so that it can reach out to individuals and help to resolve issues, grievances, and appeals;(6) Receives training and adheres to confidentiality consistent with this chapter and chapters 70.96A, 71.05, 71.24, and 70.02 RCW;(7) Continues to be available to advocate and support individuals through the grievance, appeal and administrative hearing processes;(8) Involves other persons, at the individual's request;(9) Supports individuals in the pursuit of a formal resolution;(10) If necessary, continues to assist the individual through the administrative hearing process;(11) Coordinates and collaborates with allied services to improve the effectiveness of advocacy and to reduce duplication when serving the same individual;(12) Provides information on grievances to the DBHR and BHO quality strategy; and(13) Provides reports and formalized recommendations at least biennially to DBHR and BHO advisory and governing boards, local consumer and family advocacy groups, the BHO quality review team, and the BHO provider network.