Information about you is kept strictly confidential, as protected under federal law. Our programs will give you a written statement that describes the federal confidentiality law and the exceptions to that protection.

At your first appointment, you will be meeting face to face with a professional clinician at a service site of SCCMH. We will ask you questions that help us determine your needs. Your first appointment is your first opportunity to tell us what problems you are having, and what supports you believe you need from SCCMH.

You should bring your current Medicaid or other health insurance card. To set your fees, we will need financial information, including proof of your income (pay stubs, W2, or tax records), and a list of all your monthly expenses. Also, bring your health information, such as a list of all the medicines you take (or bring the medicine bottles themselves) and a list of all the doctors you see.

The process by which your individual plan of service will be designed is referred to as Person-Centered Planning (PCP). Your right to PCP is outlined and protected by the Michigan Mental Health Code. The purpose of person-centered planning is to enhance your ability to live in the community, to build on your strengths, and to allow you to control the choices surrounding the services you receive. PCP involves you and your support system in your service planning process. It respects your preferences, choices, and abilities. Your participation is critical to the development of your services. In the process, you are entitled to bring people you choose to your planning meeting; to have accommodations that help you participate in and understand the meeting; and to have your choices respected and considered in designing your services.

The services options that SCCMH can offer will be determined by an assessment of your needs and preferences, by best practice guidelines, by the Thumb Alliance clinical protocols for service, and by Department of Community Health guidelines, and Medicaid guidelines (for Medicaid recipients) . If SCCMH cannot meet your request for a specific service or support, we will talk with you to find out what is important to you about your request, and will work with you to find an acceptable alternative.

You can call either the Consumer Ombudsman or the Recipient Rights Officer if you have concerns regarding mental health, including concerns about your services or the mental health planning or authorization process.

Office of the Ombudsperson
810-985-9412
Collect calls accepted

Office of Recipient Rights (ORR)
810-648-0398, Ext125
Collect calls accepted

Office of Customer Service
810-648-0330

The Ombudsman is the person at SCCMH who can help you if you are having difficulties communicating with the people who help you plan your services or with the people who deliver them. The Ombudsman will help you express your concerns and work out a way to resolve them. Ombudsman will also help you learn about other ways to resolve your concerns if this process isn’t satisfactory.

The Office of Recipient Rights (ORR) is the place to call when you believe that your Mental Health Code protected rights have been violated, or when you want to file an appeal. ORR will help you appeal decisions by SCCMH to reduce, suspend, or terminate your services.

When you want to file an appeal, Customer Services will help you appeal decisions by SCCMH to reduce, suspend, or terminate your services. Customer Services will also help you through the appeal process and assist you at all levels.

No. Access to the Ombudsman, ORR and Customer Services is part of your right as a mental health consumer in Michigan. You cannot be denied services because you call these offices.

If you aren’t sure whether to call the Ombudsman, ORR or Customer Services, call Customer Services and they will help you sort it out.