Some DHS/DMH services must be authorized.  This means that the mental health center needs to get approval from DHS/DMH before providing you with certain services:

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
• Community Support Team (CST)
• Individual Care Grant (ICG)

Here is how it works:

1. Your mental health center works with you to find a service that fits your goals and needs. 
2. The mental health center tells the Collaborative that they want to provide the chosen service to you.
3. Collaborative staff confirm that the request is based on your goals and needs and that you have been involved in the decision.  They make sure that the service meets medical necessity.
4. In most cases, the Collaborative authorizes the services to be provided.  
5. If not, the Collaborative will work with your center to find a service that better meets your goals and needs. 
6. You and/or your mental health center can ask questions, complain, or file an appeal if your needs are not met.  The goal is not to deny service, but to work together to find the best fit with your help.