Referral process
Since 2017, CTAC has been under contract with the State of Michigan for comprehensive transdisciplinary neurodevelopmental trauma assessments, as well as clinical assessments performed by CTAC mental health clinicians only. All referrals by DHHS or contracted DHHS nonprofit agencies will need to be submitted on the State of Michigan DHHS Referral Form #5594. These referrals will need to be approved by the county director or his/her designee for that child’s service area, and must be submitted by mail with all required documentation. Referrals will not be scheduled for any services until all required documentation is received.
Referrals outside the designated CTAC catchment area will need to be approved by the county director or his/her designee or CTAC to conduct a trauma assessment. Referrals ordered to CTAC by the local judge/referee under DHHS supervision will be accepted utilizing the DHHS Referral Form #5594, regardless of the child’s home county.
CTAC was assigned the service areas of these counties:
Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Lenawee, Livingston, Mason, Mecosta, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Washtenaw.
Please call (269) 387-7073 or email CTAC (chhs-ctac@wmich.edu) with any questions and/or uncertainties regarding referrals and/or the utilization of the new DHHS assessment contract.
The CTAC team looks forward to continued partnerships to best serve our children who have experienced trauma. We strive to provide a comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment that can identify the impact of trauma and can help create resiliency-based treatment plans. These plans can create the optimum opportunity for our children’s trauma recovery; including recommendations that address the best interest of the child regarding placement, permanency and well-being.
HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL
Children can be scheduled for a trauma assessment by submitting the referral documentation to our main office. An appointment cannot be scheduled until all of the paperwork is fully completed and submitted.
Once we receive the completed forms, our clinical team will review the referral request. We will then contact the referring person in order to schedule the assessment or to provide guidance on next steps if the referral was not approved. Referral acceptance will be up to the discretion of CTAC staff.
The processes for making a referral are outlined below.
DHHS referrals
Referrals for children who are considered wards of the state or otherwise under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), must come from the DHHS monitor, have prior approval from the county DHHS director and include the MiSACWIS service authorization number. The cost of the Comprehensive Transdisciplinary Trauma Assessment is $2,343.33. Referral acceptance will be up to the discretion of CTAC staff. The processes for making a referral are outlined below.
- Mental health records
- ISP
- USP
- Psychological assessment
- IEP/504
- Release of information
- Trauma screen | Ages 0-5 | Ages 6-18
- Petition for removal
- Psychiatric evaluation
We recognize that the referral process has changed from prior protocol and appreciate that there will be potential confusion. Please call (269) 387-7073 or email CTAC (chhs-ctac@wmich.edu) to clarify any questions and/or uncertainties regarding any referrals and/or the utilization of the new DHHS assessment contract.
The CTAC team looks forward to continued partnerships to best serve our children who have experienced trauma. We strive to provide a comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment that can identify the impact of trauma and can help create resiliency-based treatment plans. These plans can create the optimum opportunity for our children’s trauma recovery; including recommendations that address the best interest of the child regarding placement, permanency and well-being.
Referrals for agencies outside DHHS
CTAC is not currently accepting referrals outside of our DHHS contracts. For trauma assessment referrals outside DHHS, please contact the WMU Resiliency Center at (269) 387-7004.
SCHEDULING INFORMATION
Once all referral information is received and reviewed by CTAC’s clinical team, CTAC staff will contact the referring person to schedule an appointment by phone. The assessment will be scheduled on the next available date. Children can also be placed on the cancellation list in the event that an earlier appointment becomes available.
Thirty days before the scheduled appointment:
- CTAC office staff will contact the referring person to verify that the assessment is still desired and to obtain the child’s current placement information.
- A packet will be sent out to the current caregiver with information and forms for the assessment. Forms must be completed and brought with the child on the day of assessment.
- A letter will be sent to the child’s biological parents (if he or she is not currently in their care), notifying them of the appointment.
Five days before the scheduled appointment:
- CTAC staff will call the caregiver with a reminder about the appointment date.
- CTAC staff or interns will contact caregivers (and possibly DHHS staff) to conduct a brief phone interview in order to collect additional information about the child that is necessary for the assessment process.
If the assessment is no longer desired, it can be cancelled at any time. If you have any questions, please call our office at (269) 387-7073.