The programs of SCCMH are designed to serve individuals who need assistance related to symptoms of Serious Mental Illness or Serious Emotional Disturbance who meet the Medical Necessity criteria, and persons diagnosed with Developmental Disabilities, or impairments related to these disabilities.  Descriptions of the criteria for these categories are included below.  These definitions are condensed from the Michigan Mental Health Code, and the Department of Community Health mental health contract standards.

“Serious mental illness” means a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder affecting an adult that exists or has existed within the past year for a period of time sufficient to meet diagnostic criteria specified in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association; and approved by the Department (of Community Health); and that has resulted in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits 1 or more major life activities.

“Serious emotional disturbance” means a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder affecting a minor  that exists or has existed within the past year for a period of time sufficient to meet diagnostic criteria specified in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association; and approved by the Department (of Community Health); and that has resulted in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits the minor’s role or functioning in family, school or community activities.

“Medically necessary” mental health services are services:
• Necessary for screening and assessing the presence of a mental illness; and/or
• Required to identify and evaluate a mental illness that is inferred or suspected; and/or
• Intended to treat, ameliorate, diminish or stabilize the symptoms of mental illness including impairments in functioning; and/or
• Expected to arrest or delay the progression of a mental illness disorder and to forestall or delay relapse; and/or
• Designed to provide rehabilitation for the recipient to attain or maintain an adequate level of functioning.

“Developmentally Disability” means a disability attributed to a mental and/or physical impairment, that is manifested before 22 years of age, is likely to continue indefinitely, and results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity:

• Self care
• Receptive & expressive language
• Learning
• Mobility
• Self-direction
• Capacity for independent living
• Economic self-sufficiency

It results in the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of specialized, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
A minor from birth to age 5 may qualify if they have a substantial developmental delay or a specific congenital or acquired condition with a high probability of resulting in developmental disability as defined above.