The Single Point of Access (SPOA) is a
centralized intake process for referrals for high-intensity mental
health services for children and adults who have been diagnosed
with a serious mental illness and whose illness interferes with
their ability to function in the community, home, school, and/or
work. The overall goals include fostering independence and
improving the quality of life for consumers of mental health
services.
The purpose of the SPOA is to manage access
to high-intensity mental health services, provide a forum for
improved collaboration among community service providers, and
identify and promote community-based alternatives to residential
treatment and psychiatric hospitalization. As a part of the SPOA
process, stakeholders in the community mental health service
system meet on a regular basis to ensure that individuals who are
referred are matched to the appropriate level of service based on
need. Provisions are made to incorporate and consider recipient
preferences and choices.
Adult Services
The Single Point of Access Committee for
Adult Services reviews referrals to the following programs for
residents of Warren and Washington Counties: Supportive Case
Management; Dual Recovery Case Management; Intensive Case
Management; Residential Services; East Side Center; and Project
C.H.O.I.C.E. More information about these programs can be found on
the applications
page of this website.
Individuals referred to these programs must
be over 18 years old, considered seriously mentally ill, and in
need of services because their illness significantly impairs their
ability to function in the community.
To make a referral to a service overseen by
the SPOA committee, a referral form must be completed and sent to
the Office of Community Services for Warren and Washington
Counties. The Single Point of Access Application for Adult
Services is available on-line in PDF file format.
In order for the application to be
considered complete, the following documents are also required: a
signed consent for release of information; psychosocial or
psychiatric assessment with D.S.M. diagnoses; physical exam with
T.B. test (Residential Programs and East Side Center Only);
functional assessment survey (Residential Programs Only);
and signed physician authorization for restorative services (Residential
Programs Only).
Children and Youth Services
The Single Point of Access Committee for
Children and Youth reviews referrals to the following programs for
residents of Warren and Washington Counties: Supportive Case
Management; Intensive Case Management; Home and Community Based
Services Waiver; Family-Based Treatment; Teaching Family Homes;
Community Residences; and Residential Treatment Facilities. More
information about these programs can be found on the
Applications
page of this web site.
A child or youth qualifies for these
services if he or she has been diagnosed with a serious emotional
disturbance; AND: is at risk of being hospitalized,
re-hospitalized, or placed outside the home; OR is having
difficulty functioning in the home, school or community; OR is
involved in multiple systems.
The Single Point of Access Application for
Services, to be used for Intensive Case Management, Supportive
Case Management, and Home and Community Based Services Waiver
referrals, is available on-line in PDF and HTM format on our
Applications
page. In order for the application to be considered complete, a
signed release of information and psychosocial or psychiatric
evaluation with D.S.M. IV diagnoses is also required.
Referral forms for Family-Based Treatment,
Teaching Family Home, Community Residences and Residential
Treatment Facilities may be obtained by contacting the Office of
Community Services for Warren and Washington Counties.
For further information, contact
SPOA Coordinator
Office of Community Services for Warren and Washington Counties
230 Maple Street
Glens Falls, New York 12801
Tel. 518-792-7143
Fax 518-792-7166
