We have finished our walk-through and completely changed our screening process. One of the things we changed is to now have the clients in a group setting to explain client rights, federal confidentiality laws, all the required documentation, etc. Instead of spending 10 minutes for 10 individual clients to do this, we actually get it all done in 10 minutes -- saving screening staff 90 minutes. 

Then we have two counselors who each take the clients individually to do the individual screening so we can determine triage needs. While the other clients are waiting to be seen for their individual session, they complete the required two diagnostic instruments, which are the MAPP and the SASSI. We rotate the clients in and out of the individual sessions and they continue to work on their diagnostic instruments until done. 

We have seen 10 clients, we have completed the screening, and we also have their diagnostic instruments completed, and we have been able to start the engagement process. This is far superior to the old method in which we scheduled clients individually throughout the day.

This has been a tremendous asset for the following reasons:

• If we had scheduled 10 clients for individual sessions, we would have booked out 10 to 15 hours for a counselor. By doing it this way, two counselors get it all done in about 2-3 hours.
  
  
• If we scheduled 10 individual clients, and five were No Call/No Shows, we would have lost several billable hours. By doing it this way,  somebody always shows up for the screening when you schedule several at a time, so you have no lost billable time.
  
  
• If we were doing this individually, our waiting list for the first appointment could be up to two weeks. We have these sessions available two times a week, Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings. That way, you can get into see a counselor in no more than five days -- which would happen if you call on Friday and the next session is Wednesday morning. If you call in on Monday, you are seen in less than 48 hours. By doing this, we can triage people much more rapidly and get them into services more quickly.

The staff feel more comfortable about meeting the needs of our clients, because we immediately educate the clients on local 12 step recovery programs, we immediately start case management for housing, health care, and medical care, and we can help with the multiple needs of the clients while they wait to get into a treatment group. 

We also are able to move people into a detox unit on a more timely basis as we often have the client come and see us every day to monitor their medical status while they are waiting for a residential bed. If we need to move quickly, the client has already established a relationship with us and we can give the important information to the receiving agency.

It is amazing how much time is spent telling clients the exact same information (required client right information, CARF, etc.) and having them sign a bunch of required forms. If we have to give the exact same information, word for word, to each client, it takes about 10-15 minutes per client. By doing it in a group, we save a ton of time. 

This 'group' screening has been a tremendous asset to our program.