Purpose of FA
Functional assessment is required by Minnesota statue. However, defining how data and information from the functional assessment is used is key in ensuring the content, quality, robustness and usability of each and every functional assessment.
The Functional Assessment can be used in the following manner for the following reasons.
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To determine program/payor eligibility. The functional assessment is used to support eligibility, which includes medical necessity, for many of the rehabilitation services within the community based adult mental health services continuum.
To aid treatment, case management and rehabilitation planning. Functional descriptions on the functional assessment can help determine type, frequency, intensity and duration of services and interventions. In addition, functional assessments assist in planning intervention sequences and adaptive strategies.
Functional assessment information can help referral to services when the functional impairment is linked to how the person experiences his or her mental illness.
To define areas where a person has strengths and deficits in functioning. Because functional descriptions are value neutral, functional assessment data can support the "golden thread" and facilitate the use of strengths in the selection of interventions to improve deficits.
To make services more recovery oriented. The functional assessment process meets consumers where they are by using Motivational Interviewing techniques and stage-of-change tools to solicit and gather information.
The use of non-judgmental terms around observable functioning avoids labels, provides the use of plain language that is understandable to the consumer and ensures consumer voice reflects recovery philosophy and principles.
To demonstrate outcomes and progress. A thorough description of the consumer's status and functioning for each domain in each sequential functional assessment establishes a baseline and an ongoing evaluation of consumer progress in improving function.