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MHRT/Community Guidelines
May 2008

PLEASE NOTE: YOU CANNOT APPLY ONLINE.

You can download a printable copy of these Guidelines in the following formats:

MS WORD   or    ADOBE PDF

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, you may download a copy from the Adobe Website.

Office of Adult Mental Health Services (OAMHS) 

PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES for MENTAL HEALTH REHABILITATION TECHNICIAN/COMMUNITY (MHRT/C) CERTIFICATION

UPDATED May 2008

See Page 3 for January 1, 2009 change in MHRT-C requirements

A Letter from OAMHS Director, Ron Welch (Adobe Version also available)

Department of Health and Human Services Adult Mental Health Services 32 Blossom Lane # 11 State House Station Augusta, Maine  04333-0011 Tel: (207) 287-4243 Fax: (207) 287-1022; TTY: 1-800-606-0215

May, 2008

 Dear Colleagues,

Attached you will find the newly updated Procedural Guidelines for Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) Certification.  These guidelines reflect two significant changes in MHRT/C certification, as follows:

·         On April 1, 2007 a new certification for crisis workers took effect.  The MHRT/Crisis Services Provider (MHRT/CSP) certification is now required for all Crisis Intervention Services providers in adult mental health (and Crisis Resolution Services providers in children’s mental health).  This requirement replaced the MHRT/C requirement for crisis intervention and crisis resolution workers. 

·         As of January 1, 2009 all individuals seeking Full MHRT/C certification must complete the Vocational Aspects of Disability requirement.  The Group Process course will no longer be accepted as of that date.

These changes were made as part of the Office of Adult Mental Health Services’ ongoing effort to ensure that the mental health workforce receives relevant, up-to-date training that is recovery-oriented.  In the case of the MHRT/CSP certification, the training is now more closely focused on the body of knowledge needed by crisis workers.  The change in the MHRT/C requirements reflects an increased understanding in the mental health field of the contribution employment can make toward recovery.

As you read through these Procedural Guidelines for MHRT/C Certification, it is important to anticipate the impact of the January 1, 2009 Vocational Aspects of Disability requirement.  Please keep in mind the following:

·         Individuals who expect to complete the Full MHRT/C requirements after 1/1/09 must take the Vocational Aspects of Disability Course, not the Group Process course.

·         Not all of the academic programs currently listed as pre-approved for Full MHRT/C will necessarily remain on the list as of 1/1/09.  Those programs that do not add the Vocational Aspects of Disability (or comparable) course will be changed from pre-approval for Full MHRT/C to pre-approval for Provisional Level B MHRT/C.

The Office of Adult Mental Health Services and the Center for Learning staff are available to answer any questions you may have regarding these changes.  You may also refer to www.cfl-muskie.org.

Thank you for your interest in promoting mental health for Maine’s citizens.

Sincerely,

Ronald Welch, Director
Office of Adult Mental Health Services

Table of Contents

(You may click on underlined subjects to go directly to that portion of the document):

I.     Introduction and Historical Background

II.    Summary of 2007-2009 MHRT/Community Changes

III.   Roles of Participants
        A.  State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adult Mental Health Services
        B.  The Center for Learning
        C.  Adult Mental Health Service Provider Agencies
          D.  Authorized Agencies

IV.   Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Certificate (MHRT/Community)
        A.  Scope of Practice
        B.  Knowledge Competencies Required for MHRT/C

V.     MHRT/C Certification Levels

VI.    MHRT/C Options

VII.   MHRT/C Waiver Policy and Procedure

VIII.  Reciprocity with MHRT/CSP

IX.    Extension and Renewal Policy

X.     Appeal Process

XI.    Evaluation of Foreign Degrees

XII.   Application Process

XIII. Tuition Reimbursement Policy

XIV. Center for Learning Contact Information

XV.   Appendices
            Appendix A - List of Individual Courses Approved for MHRT/C Credit
            Appendix B - List of Degrees, Licenses, and Certifications Pre-Approved for Full MHRT/C Certification
            Appendix C - Degrees Pre-Approved for Provisional MHRT/C
            Appendix D - Application for MHRT/Community Certification
            Appendix E - MHRT/Community Tuition Reimbursement Request
            Appendix F - Abbreviation Key and Web Site Addresses
            Appendix G - MHRT/C Course Waiver Request Form
            Appendix H - Frequently Asked Questions About MHRT/C Certification

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