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BEM 232 21 of 33 DIRECT SUPPORT SERVICES BPB 2026-009 4-1-2026
BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
either with a statewide counseling contract provider or through a locally developed DSS contract, consider the following when designing and referring clients for service. State-Wide Counseling and Intervention Services Contract Referrals Counseling services provide a brief intervention or treatment that is focused most upon behavior. It often targets a particular symptom or problematic situation and offers suggestions and advice for dealing with the problem. The service involves the application of clinical counseling principles, methods or procedures for the purpose of achieving social, personal, career and emotional development and with the goal of promoting and enhancing healthy self-actualizing and satisfying lifestyles. Counseling contract services must be one of the following: • Clinical counseling: A counselor meets with a referred client and/or family members or a person significant to the client (if specified in the MDHHS referral) at a confidential space such as in the counselor’s usual place of business, the client’s home or with prior MDHHS approval, at a mutually agreed upon site. • Group counseling: A counselor meets with a group of referred clients. In addition to the counselor, each group shall include not fewer than three or more than ten individual members and shall include not fewer than three unrelated family groups. In order to achieve success and self-sufficiency related to employ- ment and relationships, many MDHHS clients would benefit from personalized, one-on-one therapeutic and educational intervention aimed at addressing specific needs. Topics that address such issues as soft skills education, anger and impulsivity control, pros- pering in a work environment and developing a balance between work and personal life demands can all contribute to increased suc- cess and self-sufficiency. The specialist should evaluate which type of counseling would best serve the client’s needs. The type of counseling requested must be