LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  CLIENT AND TRANSPORTATION ESCORT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 
No client may be transported except with a transportation escort.

Both the client and transportation escort must be willing to travel by either ground or air, as appropriate.

Every attempt will be made to ensure the safety of the client and staff in travel, which includes an assessment of need for more than one transportation escort.

Client Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for transport out of state or to home community, the client must:
  1. Be either:
     
    1. In a Full Service Partnership (FSP) or other MHSA funded intensive care program, or
       
    2. On "inpatient" status (either voluntary or involuntary) at:
       
      • A State Hospital;
      • An inpatient facility contracted with Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH);
      • An inpatient facility operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS);
      • A contracted Institute for Mental Disease (IMD); or
      • A contracted Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) facility.
         
  2. Client shall not qualify for transport if they have a writ pending. The client shall not be transported until the writ is heard and a decision is made at the hearing. (WIC § 5726) Please NOTE: This process may take several days. The transportation arrangements shall reflect the need to wait for judicial review completion before transportation is initiated.
     
  3. Be a resident of the receiving state or county or have responsible family members living there who agree to see that the client has a place to live and that the client will receive the continuing care indicated.
     
  4. Have a confirmed appointment for assessment at a mental health facility in the area of the receiving state or county where he/she will be residing.
     
  5. Be stabilized to a level that will ensure appropriate, orderly, and safe behavior while in transit.
     
  6. Express a desire or willingness to travel by either ground or air to the intended destination and agree to sign a statement that validates that fact. Air transport is to be used to ensure brief travel time and maximize client stabilization as clinically indicated.
     
    1. When a client is unable to provide a signature or informed consent (due to physical problems, mental limitations, or illiteracy), the treating physician, and another psychiatric professional may prepare an affidavit attesting to the client's wishes.
Transportation Escort Requirements

Although an employee may be registered on the transportation escort list, escorting is on a voluntary basis.
Inclusion on the list of transportation escorts does not ensure being assigned a trip.

Transportation escorts must meet the following requirements:
  1. Possess the clinical skills designated by the treating physician.
     
    1. Every attempt will be made to utilize transportation escorts who are licensed clinical staff. If licensed staff are not available, other clinical staff may be used.
       
    2. Transportation escorts shall be selected to match the special needs of the client which may include:
       
      • Requirement to medicate;
      • Accommodate client special needs;
      • Ability to speak another language; and/or
      • Execute clinical procedures.
         
  2. Be a DMH mileage permittee.
     
  3. Secure supervisor approval for travel.
     
    1. The supervisor must approve paid or accrued overtime for the escort consistent with the guidelines outlined in DMH Policy 304.02.
       
  4. Be willing to provide local (hospital-airport) transportation.
     
  5. Be the gender with which the client feels most comfortable when possible and clinically appropriate.