Frequently Asked Questions
About our
Clinical Services:
Will the
Mental Health Center take my insurance?
The Mental Health Center accepts all types of
insurance. However, it
depends on your individual policy whether your insurance will cover
the services the Mental Health Center offers.
We will be glad to contact your insurance company for you
regarding your coverage.
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I heard the
services were free. Is that true?
The Mental Health Center’s services are not
free. However, fees for
Center services are discounted based on family income and number of
dependents. Payments from
third party payers are accepted.
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What hours are you open?
The Mental Health Center has a toll free number
that may be called 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for emergencies
(800)815-0630. Each of
the Center’s outpatient clinics are open Monday through Friday
8:00am – 4:30pm CST. Each
clinic is also open at least one evening a week.
Family and Children’s Services is open four evenings a week.
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What do I do
if I need to speak to my doctor or therapist after hours?
If you are experiencing an emergency, you should
call (334) 742-2877 or you may call toll free (800) 815-0630.
The clinician on-call will assist you as needed.
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How can I
get my family member in a group home?
You should contact our Outreach office at (334)
742-2877. An Outreach staff member will schedule an intake for your
family member. The
clinician who completes the Intake will assist you with a referral to
a Center group home, if appropriate.
Most of the Center’s group homes have a waiting list.
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Do you have an inpatient facility for alcohol and drugs?
No, but we do provide outpatient services and can assist with a referral for inpatient when indicated.
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Does East Alabama Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center test children?
The Mental Health Center provides testing for children and adolescents on a limited basis and generally for reasons associated with a child's mental health problems.
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Does East Alabama Mental Health-mental Retardation Center assist with helping families with child support payment issues?
No, you should contact the Department of Human Resources in the county where you live for assistance.
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Who do I contact regarding the mistreatment or abuse of a child?
The Department of Human Resources in the county where you live.
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Does East Alabama Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center need donations?
Our consumers have many needs. We do accept donations. Our needs include baby equipment (car seats, high chairs, cribs); clothing for babies, children, and adults; appliances that are in working order; and furniture. Call 742-2700 for details on where to deliver.
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At what age is a consumer's treatment confidential from family members?
At age 14 a child may refuse to allow his/her parents access to his/her treatment information.
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If one parent has custody, what are the rights of the other parent regarding access to a child's treatment information?
The parent with custody is responsible for determining who has access to this information, including whether a non-custodial parent has access. We do require that legal documents be presented for verification of custody.
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About Employment
Are you a
state agency?
No, the Mental Health Center is not a state
agency. We are a public,
non-profit community mental health center governed by a locally
appointed board of directors. Our
employees do, however, participate in the state retirement system.
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What is
conditional employment?
Conditional employment is the phase of employment
when a potential employee’s employment with the Center is based on
certain conditions being met. For example, a drug screen, a motor vehicle record check, a
criminal record check, etc.
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What
in-service training do I have to complete before I can start to work?
The in-service training an employee must have before
starting work depends on the position for which the person has been
hired. Human Resources will provide you with information about
in-service training that is required for the position for which you have been employed.
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What does
relief employment mean?
Relief employees are individuals who work for the
agency on a PRN basis (as needed).
They do not usually work a regular schedule. Relief workers are
limited in the number of hours they may work in any given pay period.
Relief workers are not eligible for employee benefits.
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What does
exempt/non-exempt mean?
Exempt employees are exempt from the Fair Labor
Standards Act. These are
individuals in a professional, executive, or administrative position.
Non-exempt exempt employees are not exempt from the Fair Labor
Standards Act. Certain
rules regarding overtime apply to these individuals.
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How long
does it take for the medical and dental coverage to go into effect?
Health and dental insurance coverage is in effect
the first day of an employee’s regular employment (conditional
employment criteria have been satisfied).
Long term disability and life insurance coverage begins the
first of the month following the employee’s regular employment date.
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Do you have
standard or set work schedules for residential staff?
Residential program directors are responsible for
scheduling staff to work in their programs.
A schedule is made as far in advance as possible. Staff may be scheduled to work either a variable or set
schedule. However, staff
may be required to work hours that are different from their regular
scheduled hours when program needs require a change in staff coverage.
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How often
will I be paid?
Exempt employees are paid the last working day of
the month. Non-exempt
employees are paid every two weeks on Friday.
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Is there
room for mobility or promotion with the Center?
The Center offers employees an opportunity to
advance as such positions are open and the employee is qualified.
However, these positions are limited.
Opportunities for increasing one’s pay are available through
licensure, salary supplements, etc.
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How much
notice do I have to give if I resign?
Either two weeks or one month, depending on the
position you are in. Human Resources
can provide you with information regarding the requirement for your
position.
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What is the
pay for overtime?
Non-exempt employees who work over 40 hours in
any given standard work week (Sunday 12 am – Sunday12 am) are paid
one and one-half their regular hourly rate of pay.
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Do you have
time off for deaths in the family?
The Center provides employees sick leave, which
is accrued at a rate of 8 hours per month.
Sick leave may be used, when approved by one’s supervisor,
when there is a death in an employee’s immediate family.
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If I wanted
to go back to school, do you offer assistance?
Employees who have been employed with the Center
for one year may apply for assistance to help with the expenses of continuing
their ’s education. The
education must be applicable to the employee’s position with the
Center, and financial assistance is limited to a predetermined amount.
The time required
to continue one’s education is generally not provided.
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Do you
encourage employees to further their education?
Yes. The
Center emphasizes staff training and professional development.
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Do you pay
for licensure and continuing education?
The Center offers assistance with continuing
education with supervisory approval.
The amount is limited and pro-rated according to the
employee’s full time equivalency.
The continuing education must be related to the position for
which the employee is employed. Licensure fees may also be paid by the Center with
supervisory approval and when the license is required for the position
for which the employee is employed.
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How do you
handle transfer requests?
Employees interested in a transfer to another
program or position
within the Center should submit a letter of request to Human
Resources.
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Are there
set base pay rates?
Yes. Human Resources
can provide you with a schedule of these rates.
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When do
employees receive raises?
The Center does not guarantee raises.
However, cost of living increases may be given annually when
the Center is financially able to cover the costs of such raises.
Many of the Center’s positions provide for salary
supplements. For example,
case managers can earn a salary supplement for increased productivity.
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Where do I
pick up my check?
Checks are available for pick up at the
program where the employee works, unless other arrangements have been
made in advance.
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What is a FTE?
Full time equivalent. One
(1) FTE is equal to a 40 hour a week position. FTEs < 1
refers to a part-time postion.
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How is the
pay figured?
Persons applying for positions are paid according
to a base pay rate. Experience credit may be given if the experience is related
to the position for which the individual is applying.
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What is an
anniversary date?
The date a person begins working in a regular
position with the Center.
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What is the
dress code?
The Center is a professional organization and
staff are expected to dress accordingly. However, in residential and day programs staff dress may be
casual when consumer activities dictate such.
For example, if a day program is going on a picnic, staff may
dress accordingly.
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Are you
affiliated with other institutions or hospitals?
No, but the Mental Health Center is certified by
the Alabama Department of Mental Health-Mental Retardation.
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