Introduction, by Martha A. Churchill

There is part of a contract between your local CMH office and the State of Michigan.  CMH, or Community Mental Health, is required to follow the "best practice" with respect to housing, inclusion, PCP (Person Centered Planning), and consumerism.

Anyone concerned about housing issues for an individual with mental illness or a developmental disability should become familiar with the "Best Practice Guidelines" for housing.

The Medicaid Manual, Chapter III, tells the CMH office what they have to provide to consumers who need it. The Best Practice Guidelines tell them more about what to provide, and to whom.

If you are not an attorney, just click on HOUSING to read the Best Practice Guidelines on that subject, and click on INCLUSION to read the guidelines on that subject.  Or the best practice guidelines on CONSUMERISM, or on PCP.  You may also click on INDEPENDENT for my essay on how to live independently.  Or read my essay on "How to get what you need from CMH," by clicking on HOW.

NOTE to attorneys: There is some language at the beginning of the CMH contract which says that the entire contract and its attachments do not give any enforceable benefits to the consumers. However, the contract is obviously for the benefit of consumers. There is no other purpose for the contract. Therefore, I believe this disclaimer is nonsensical and void.

Also, if you request a Medicaid fair hearing, it is possible that the attorney for your CMH will point to the Best Practice Guidelines for proof of what the CMH does not have to do. If the guidelines are valid enough to defend the CMH as to a claim by a consumer, then obviously the guidelines are valid for what the CMH does have to do. The attorney for CMH cannot use the guidelines as a shield unless the claimant can use them as a sword.

To read Chapter III of the Medicaid Manual, click on MANUAL.

To read my essay on how to live independently, click on INDEPENDENT.

For general information on how to get what you need from CMH, click on HOW.

What does Medicaid pay for?  Click on PAYS.