Information Center

PURPOSE

This Information Center has been created to remedy the lack of information concerning the unique jurisdictional, legal and coordination of care issues related to Native Americans and the state’s behavioral health system.

BACKGROUND

Arizona law provides for the recognition or “domestication” of tribal court orders for involuntary commitment to treatment including admission to the Arizona State Hospital (AZSH) for Native Americans residing on tribal reservations.  Problematic legal, jurisdiction, and continuity of care issues exist related to the coordination of court ordered treatment for Native Americans and which result from the unique “carve out” of the managed care behavioral health care system in Arizona. 

HISTORY

In February, 2008, a representative from the Intertribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) placed a request before the ADHS Director’s meeting of the three Indian Health Service (IHS) Area Directors concerning a critical need for training and informational outreach to the tribes and the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs) concerning the process of court ordered treatment for Native Americans.  Mr. Eddy Broadway, former Director of the Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) assigned the Tribal Contract Administrator to work, in conjunction with ITCA, on addressing this need. An interagency work group was identified as the mechanism for addressing this training need. The Involuntary Commitment Work Group was comprised of ADHS/DBHS, AzSH, the Office of the Attorney General, AHCCCS, and the Intertribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) staff … read more

APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS

• Legal & Regulatory Resources
• Executive Order 2006-14
• 36 ARS 541 Mandatory Local Treatment
• 12 ARS136 Rules & Forms for Enforcement of Involuntary Commitment
• Behavioral Health Services Payment Responsibilities Diagram (for American Indians)

CONTACTS

• Tribal Contacts
• TRBHA and RBHA Contacts/Tribal Liaisons
• Arizona State Hospital (AzSH) Contacts
• DBHS Contacts
• AHCCCS Contacts
• Tribal Courts/Judicial Contacts

TRAINING RESOURCES

• RBHA Training Flyer - Fall 09
• TRBHA & TRIBES Training Flyer – Fall 09
• Involuntary Commitment Training Agenda – Fall 09
• RBHA Forum Notebook
• Training Resources & Binder Materials for Fall 09
  • Cover Page
  • Table of Contents
  • Tab 1 – Principles of American Indian Law
  • Tab 2 – Title 12-136, Rules of Procedure and Guardianship
  • Tab 3 – Continuity of Care
  • Tab 4 – AzSH Admission Processes
  • Tab 5 – AHCCCS/Medicaid Behavioral Health Payments
  • Tab 6 – Tribal Court Order Processes
  • Tab 7 – Web Page-"Tribal Court Procedures for Involuntary Commitment – Information Center"
  • Tab 8 – Case Studies, other; Misc.
    

LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES

• AHCCCS Financial Information links
• DBHS Policy and Website Resource links
• AzSH Website and Information
• Tribal/RBHA Letters of Agreement
  • AK Chin Behavioral Health Letter of Agreement
  • Cocopah Letter of Agreement
  • Tohono O’odham Nation Letter of Agreement

To make updates or revisions to this web page, please contact:
Andrea Bonillas - (602) 542-8985 or email - Andrea.Bonilla@azag.gov

This website is sponsored by ADHS/DBHS in coordination with ITCA, AzSH, the AZ State Attorney General’s Office, AHCCCS, American Indian Tribes located in AZ and the AZ State TRBHAs & RBHAs.