ARMHS (Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services) in Minnesota helps adults with mental health challenges build skills for independent living, maintain stability, and integrate into their communities. This guide explains the benefits, eligibility, and how to get started.
Key Takeaways:
- Who It’s For: Adults (18+) with a mental health diagnosis who struggle with daily tasks and need support for independence.
- Main Benefits:
- Mental health support, including medication education and peer assistance.
- Life skills training (budgeting, cooking, job preparation).
- Community reintegration (housing, employment, social connections).
- Eligibility: Requires a mental health diagnosis, functional assessment, and residence in eligible counties.
- How to Start: Contact certified providers like Canvas Health, complete assessments, and create a personalized treatment plan.
ARMHS offers a practical path to recovery by focusing on skill-building and reducing the need for intensive services.
ARMHS Information and Definition of Services
ARMHS Main Benefits
Mental Health Support
ARMHS helps individuals maintain psychiatric stability and emotional well-being by creating personalized strategies to manage mental health symptoms. Practitioners work closely with clients to provide medication education, addressing prescriptions, potential side effects, and the importance of following treatment plans. The program also includes Certified Peer Specialist support, offering non-clinical assistance with challenges like social isolation, stigma, and the emotional effects of hospitalization .
Learning Life Skills
ARMHS focuses on building independence by teaching essential life skills. Here’s a breakdown of key training areas:
| Skill Category | Training Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Home Management | Budgeting, shopping, cooking, nutrition, household tasks |
| Health Management | Medication tracking, symptom handling, healthy habits |
| Social Skills | Communication, crisis response, accessing community resources |
| Independent Living | Using transportation, preparing for jobs, integrating into the community |
These skills help clients navigate daily challenges and establish the tools they need to live independently while managing their condition .
Getting Back to Community Life
ARMHS practitioners work to eliminate obstacles to community reintegration. They collaborate with employers, landlords, and family members to create supportive environments. The program also offers Transition to Community Living services, ensuring smoother adjustments for individuals leaving higher levels of care. Through connections to housing, employment opportunities, local support groups, and community organizations, ARMHS helps clients establish routines that promote independence. This proactive support reduces the risk of hospitalization while fostering long-term recovery .
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ARMHS Requirements
Mental Health Diagnosis Rules
To qualify for ARMHS in Minnesota, individuals need a primary diagnosis of a mental illness, confirmed through a detailed Diagnostic Assessment. This assessment must be up-to-date and completed by a licensed mental health professional. It plays a critical role in determining eligibility and shaping the treatment plan.
Required Health Assessments
Eligibility for ARMHS hinges on three essential assessments, which help create an effective Individual Treatment Plan (ITP):
| Assessment Type | Purpose | Key Components |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Assessment | Confirm mental health diagnosis | Clinical evaluation, symptom review, treatment history |
| Functional Assessment | Assess daily life impact | Examines how symptoms affect daily activities |
| Level of Care Assessment | Decide service intensity | Identifies treatment needs and proper service level |
The Functional Assessment is particularly important, as it outlines the ways symptoms interfere with everyday life.
Provider Requirements
After completing the assessments, ARMHS services are delivered by certified professionals who meet the standards set by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Key provider requirements include:
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Certification Requirements
All ARMHS providers must hold DHS certification and complete recertification every three years. Providers that are not county-based also need separate certification from each county where they operate. -
Qualified Staff
ARMHS services can be offered by various professionals, including:- Mental health professionals
- Certified rehabilitation specialists
- Mental health practitioners
- Clinical trainees
- Mental health rehabilitation workers
- Certified peer specialists
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Service Location Guidelines
ARMHS services can be delivered in various settings, such as:- The client’s home
- A relative’s or significant other’s home
- Job sites
- Community spaces (e.g., psychosocial clubhouses, drop-in centers)
"ARMHS cannot be provided to a member residing in regional treatment centers, nursing facilities, acute-care settings (inpatient hospital), or sub-acute settings (Intensive Residential Treatment Services [IRTS] program), except for services that meet the requirements under Transition to Community Living Services."
For medication education, services must be provided by a physician, registered nurse, physician assistant, or pharmacist to ensure proper medical oversight and expertise.
Getting Started with ARMHS
Finding ARMHS Providers
To find certified ARMHS providers, reach out to your county or tribal human services office. In the Twin Cities area and nearby counties, organizations like Metro Care Partners and Canvas Health offer these services. Canvas Health, for instance, covers Anoka, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Chisago, Dakota, and Isanti counties . When choosing a provider, ensure they have current DHS certification and are approved to operate in your area. Once you’ve selected a provider, the next step is the assessment process.
First Steps and Assessment
Your ARMHS journey begins with an evaluation, usually completed within 30 days . This involves two key steps:
- A diagnostic assessment to confirm your primary mental health condition and determine eligibility for services.
- A functional assessment to evaluate how your symptoms affect your daily life.
Using the results, you and your provider will work together to create an Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) tailored to your needs .
Payment and Insurance
ARMHS services can be paid for through various options, including Medical Assistance, Health Insurance, Medicaid Waivers, Minnesota Senior Health Options, Veteran’s Administration benefits, and Worker’s Compensation . Many providers, such as Canvas Health, also offer self-pay options with sliding scale fees . For more information about payment options, contact the providers directly. Canvas Health, for example, provides program support through Michael Mann, who can be reached at [email protected] .
Next Steps
Quick Review
ARMHS offers mental health rehabilitation services aimed at helping you build skills for independent living. The program provides support through skills training, crisis prevention, and connecting with your community .
To qualify, you’ll need: a mental health diagnosis, valid Medical Assistance or PMAP, residence in an eligible county, and a demonstrated need for rehabilitation.
If you meet these criteria, here’s how to get started.
Start Your ARMHS Journey
Ready to begin? Follow these steps to access ARMHS services:
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Contact a Provider
Canvas Health serves several counties, including Anoka, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Chisago, Dakota, and Isanti. Reach out to Michael Mann at [email protected] to start the referral process . -
Complete Initial Assessments
Once connected with a provider, you’ll complete diagnostic and functional assessments. These will help create a treatment plan tailored to your needs .
"I believe in providing a whole-person approach when supporting individuals to best empower them to make desired changes within their own lives and communities."
– Tara Burklund, MSW, LICSW, ARMHS Supervisor
- Build Your Support Network
Collaborate with your healthcare team to enhance your recovery plan. This might include your primary mental health provider, ARMHS practitioners, and other support services.
Your active involvement is essential for success in your treatment plan.
