The requirement that a juvenile must have committed a crime before receiving services at STF has been removed from law. Like all mental health programs, adolescents that have some involvement with the judicial system and are diagnosed with mental illness will be a priority. (HB1505 of the 2009 MS Legislature updates MS Code Section 41-21-109.) For more information about Admissions, contact Resource Management at (228) 328-6000.

Specialized Treatment Facility provides twenty-four (24) hour residential services to adolescents aged thirteen (13) years to eighteen (18) years with the following:

1. A diagnosable psychiatric disorder on Axis I of the DSM-IV-TR.
2. Need for long-term residential services as evidenced by one of the following:
• failure to respond to less restrictive treatment,
• adequate less restrictive treatment options are not available in child’s community, or
• child is in an acute care setting and staff are recommending residential care.
3. Full scale IQ of 60 or above, unless there is substantial evidence that the IQ score is suppressed due to psychiatric illness.
4. As ordered for commitment by youth court, family court or chancery court, or upon transfer from another Department of Mental Health program as specified in Mississippi statute.

Specialized Treatment Facility does not provide services to adolescents who are in need of emergency/acute psychiatric care, who have a primary diagnosis of substance abuse or who have unresolved pending criminal charges.

In order to adequately review a candidate for placement, a referral packet should include the following:

1. Physical exam/medical history conducted by a physician within the last twelve (12) months.
2. A recent psychological/psychiatric evaluation performed by a licensed psychiatrist/psychologist recommending long-term residential care and including the full 5-axis diagnosis. If the candidate is currently in an acute care program, a pre-discharge recommendation for long-term residential care from the treating physician/psychologist will be accepted in place of the evaluation. Evaluations older than sixty days must be accompanied by an addendum from the doctor that includes current behaviors/symptoms that warrant this level of care, the full 5-axis diagnosis and recommendation for this level of care.
3. A social history completed within the last six (6) months that includes the reason(s) for seeking admission to STF, a description of current behavior leading to request for long-term residential care, legal history, family’s involvement in treatment and custody/guardianship issues.
4. If not included in psychological evaluation, an assessment of intellectual functioning documenting IQ performed by a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist.
5. Progress notes and treatment plan updates from current or most recent provider.
6. Any other materials which may be pertinent in determining the need for services from STF.

The following documents must be submitted to the Specialized Treatment Facility for all admissions:

1. Results of a negative TB skin test taken no more than thirty (30) days prior to the admission date.
2. Negative pregnancy test taken no more than 72 hours prior to admission.
3. Proof of immunization by original certificate of compliance form.
4. Photocopy of birth certificate.
5. Photocopy of Social Security card.
6. Medicaid and/or other health, dental and prescription insurance cards.
7. Custody/guardianship documentation, if applicable.
8. Records for the current or most recent school year including, attendance records, and if applicable, a Pupil Personal Data Sheet (PPDS), a current Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and a current Assessment Team report.
9. All current medications are to be brought to STF on the day of admission. If transferring from a DMH program, a list of current medications, dosage and frequency is to be provided.
10. A copy of the Affidavit, Application or Petition for Commitment alleging that the person is in need of treatment.
11. A copy of the Commitment Pre-evaluation Screening completed by the area Community Mental Health Center.
12. A certified copy of the Physician/Psychologist Certificate of Need.
13. A certified copy of the Order of Admittance after Hearing or Order of Commitment alleging that the person is in need of residential placement and requesting that such person be committed and confined to Specialized Treatment Facility for evaluation and treatment.
14. If transferred from another Department of Mental Health program, an Order of Transfer must be completed by both program directors and submitted along with the above-listed information.