Assessment Program
Comprehensive Psychological EvaluationMountain Regional Services, Inc. offers a unique opportunity for individuals to receive a comprehensive psychological evaluation. As an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization, an individual is housed at MRSI for approximately 28 days. During this time, an individual meets with the MRSI psychological team and is administered a wide array of testing and interviewing to assess intellectual functioning, adaptive behavior, presence of psychiatric difficulties, roots of and current reinforcers of behavioral difficulties and to answer any questions the referring agency may have. An individual is also seen by a MRSI Psychiatrist who can prescribe medications that may help the individual with symptoms of major mental illness. MRSI nursing staff closely monitor the individual to make sure that any medication prescribed is taken properly and to monitor for side effects and effectiveness. Nursing staff is also available 24 hours per day for any medical intervention that may be needed. The individual is closely monitored 24 hours per day by MRSI staff who are specially trained to work in the evaluation process and record detailed behavioral observations.
As soon as a need for an evaluation is noticed by a rehabilitation facility (i.e., increased aggression, decreased compliance, major changes in functioning, etc.) the Case Management Director at MRSI is notified. This individual begins gathering the background information needed to begin the evaluation. It is important that facilities inform MRSI if the individual being referred has a court appointed guardian and provide records to MRSI regarding the individual being referred. In order to provide the best service possible, it is necessary for MRSI psychologists to review the history of the individual extensively. They look for any pattern in behavior, medication changes, medical changes, family history, placement history, previous diagnoses, etc. MRSI must receive this information before the evaluation can begin.
After making contact with MRSI, a Case Manager will be assigned to the evaluation to monitor the individual's case while they are at MRSI. This Case Manager serves as the contact person for the evaluation. This Case Manager contacts the referring agency if there is any additional information that is needed to complete the evaluation. The Case Manager will also be completing an extensive Social History to be included in the final evaluation.
Depending on the needs of the individual, it may be recommended that medical tests be completed to rule out any physical afflictions that may be affecting the individual. Some of this testing can include blood work, CT scan, MRI, assessment by a physician or specialist, etc. MRSI will try to make these referrals early in the evaluation if they are needed; however, there are times when an unexpected circumstance arises where a referral is made later in the evaluation. At this point, it may be necessary to extend the evaluation by several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the extent of the testing that will be required.
MRSI strives to complete the most thorough and comprehensive evaluation possible. Upon completion of the evaluation, an exit conference is held with the referring agency and an MRSI psychologist interprets the evaluation and provides detailed recommendations for treatment of the individual who was being evaluated. This meeting is videotaped and the video is given to the referring agency to be used as a training tool. Follow up consultation is also available via compressed video in the event that there are questions about how the treatment is to be carried out. Hence, at the completion of the length of an ordinary hospital stay, client's are not only stabilized, but they return to their treating agency with a detailed plan of care for both psychiatric and behavioral needs.
Since the genesis of the MRSI comprehensive evaluation program, Wyoming developmentally disabled clientele have one of the lowest recidivism rates for rehospitalization in the nation, which speaks to the success of the program. The results are likely a function of having not only a stabilized client, but detailed information on how to maintain stability and even improve functioning. Agencies unable to provide the level of treatment recommended in the evaluation have the option of referring their client to an agency capable of providing the necessary treatment. MRSI is willing to accept such referrals.
Funding for this evaluation can be obtained from several different sources, including the Wyoming Medicaid Waiver, State Contract, etc. For further information on funding, please contact the Case Management Director at (307) 789-3710 ext. 3053.