Managing Value: The Level of Care Utilization System (LOCUS) Family of Tools-Presentation Slides

Presentation Slides

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The document is a presentation on the Level of Care Utilization System (LOCUS) Family of Tools, which is an initiative implemented by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The presentation provides an overview of the history and development of standardized utilization systems for behavioral health, as well as the rationale for the use of the LOCUS tools.<br /><br />The presentation explains that service intensity assessment and resource management is the process of determining the appropriate amount and type of services and supports for individuals with serious mental illness. The LOCUS tools, which include the Adult LOCUS, CALOCUS, and ECSII, provide a structured method for assessing an individual's current needs and matching them to a specific level of service intensity. The tools are based on dimensional assessments and quantifiable ratings, and they take into account factors such as risk of harm, functional status, co-morbidity, recovery environment, treatment and recovery history, and engagement and recovery status.<br /><br />The presentation highlights the advantages of using the LOCUS tools for payers, including reduced review processes, a common language for monitoring patient progress, and the ability to allocate resources more effectively. It also emphasizes the importance of payer-provider-client partnerships in the use of the tools, as well as the need for collaboration, investment, satisfaction, and integrity.<br /><br />The presentation discusses how the LOCUS tools can be used in various levels of care, from low intensity community-based services to medically managed residential services. It provides placement recommendations based on dimensional rating scores, and explains that high scores in certain dimensions can override the composite score for placement decisions.<br /><br />The presentation concludes by discussing the qualities of the LOCUS tools, such as their simplicity, relevance, adaptability, and collaborative nature. It also mentions some challenges and recent developments related to the implementation and quality control of the tools.<br /><br />Overall, the presentation serves as an introduction to the LOCUS Family of Tools and highlights their importance in the assessment and management of service intensity for individuals with serious mental illness.

Keywords

Level of Care Utilization System

LOCUS Family of Tools

service intensity assessment

resource management

dimensional assessments

payer-provider-client partnerships

structured method

behavioral health

standardized utilization systems

serious mental illness