Overview
COMPASSTM
(Comorbidity Program Audit and Self-Survey
for Behavioral Health
Services) is a tool that can be used by behavioral health care systems
to assess program competencies in multiple areas that reflect standards
for Dual Diagnosis Capable mental health (DDC-MH) and substance abuse
disorder (DDC-CD) services. Dual Diagnosis Capability (DDC-MH; DDC-CD)
has recently emerged in the literature as a term used to describe basic
expectations of program performance for mental health services,
substance use disorder services and integrated systems of care. (ASAM
PPC-2R, 20011).
Dual
Diagnosis Enhanced (DDE-MH; DDE-CD) is a term used to describe standards
for more specialized systems. COMPASSTM
is designed for either mental health or substance services wishing to
achieve or solidify DDC-MH or DDC-CD status, as well as for existing DDC
programs that seek to improve or enhance integration of services. COMPASSTM
can
be used for both adult and adolescent programs.
COMPASSTM
was developed for systems that support an array of behavioral health
programs as a tool to assist in the implementation of the Comprehensive
Continuous Integrated Systems of Care (CCISC) Model for systems change
(Minkoff, 20012).
The tool can be used by the system designers and managers to inform
policy for system planning and development, for identification of
training and technical assistance needs and for defining quality
improvement implementation practices for the system network. COMPASSTM
can also be used by individual programs that
wish to evaluate their competencies when not part of a larger system
change initiative. COMPASSTM
is typically applied at the program level
and aids programs in developing "Action Plans" (Minkoff
and Cline, 20013)
that focus on strategic, incremental, measurable, and sustainable change
toward the goal of Dual Diagnosis Capability. The domains evaluated by
are Philosophy, Management Structure, Access, Identification/Detection
of Co-occurring Disorders, Assessment/Diagnosis, Treatment Planning,
Treatment Content and Treatment Programming, Integrated Treatment
Relationships, Treatment Program Policies, Psychopharmacology, Discharge
Planning, Integrated External Care Management, Staff
Competency/Training, and Specific Competencies: Cultural, Gender, Age
Developmental Disability, Trauma, and Family Competency. These domains
are rooted in the "Eight Principles" (Minkoff, 20014)
of the CCISC Model and in the concepts of "dual recovery".
