The Case Management Unit (CMU) of Dauphin County is a private, 501(3)(c) non-profit agency which was incorporated in 1990 to provide comprehensive case management services for residents of Dauphin County who need mental health, mental retardation or early intervention services.

CMU provides conflict-free case management services under contract with the Dauphin County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program. Through the Dauphin County MH/MR Program, our agency receives funding from federal, state and county sources. There is no cost to the individual for case management services.

With offices located in Harrisburg and Millersburg, CMU employs over 150 professionals of various skills and disciplines. The agency is administered by a volunteer board of directors.

Comprehensive case management services include functions such as:

Intake - This occurs at the first face-to-face contact with the case manager and involves an interview with the adult requesting services (or parent/guardian for a child), in order to collect information and establish interest, consent and need for services. This interview also includes request by the case manager for permission to request and receive information from other sources such as schools, other agencies, etc...

Eligibility determination - This is the process by which the case manager requests information and/or arranges evaluation in order to determine that the person requesting services meets eligibility criteria for the service area requested (i.e.: mental health, mental retardation or early intervention).

Individualized Planning - the case manager will meet with the adult requesting services (or parents/guardians and child) to discuss, review and develop an individualized plan for supports and services. This process will include discussion of supports and services which may be generally available in the community as well as those available only through the mental health, mental retardation or early intervention systems.

Referral / Linkage - When choice is confirmed through the individualized planning process, the case manager will complete the required referral procedures and forms and complete authorizations when necessary to secure services on behalf of the person requesting them. The case manager will arrange for completion of a financial determination for those services which require it. This process helps to determine what part of the cost, if any, may be charged to the adult (or parents/guardians for a child) receiving a service.

Monitoring - The case manager remains in ongoing contact with the adult receving services (parents/guardians for children). This is done to assure that authorized services are provided according to the individualized plan. This ongoing contact is also provided to assess satisfaction, to act as a liaison on behalf of individuals with providers of services and to provide conflict-free advocacy when needed.