Uniform portal means that when a person thinks they need services, there will be a standardized way, across the state, for people to make contact and a standardized procedure for getting information from people, giving information to people, making referrals for services, and responding to crisis calls. To do this, the state will contract with a private company to set up a statewide 800-line. The contracted entity will have professional, clinically trained staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When a person calls, either on their own or because they have contacted a provider or agency, initial information will be taken and a standardized screening form will be used to determine if it appears that services might be needed and if the person appears to be eligible for services as a member of a target population group. Basically, three things can happen:

• The screening determines the client may meet the criteria for a target population. The individual will then be referred to the local program or service provider in the area. If treatment services are not available or no funding, then interim treatment will be provided.
• The screening determines that the client may need some services but does not meet the criteria for the target population. A referral will be made to services and supports such as a provider network, community-based agency, self-help group or faith-based initiative.
• If a person calls and does not appear to need mental health services they will be referred to the proper agency (for example, credit counseling, or Department of Social Services).

People can also enter the system directly through a local program and the same process of information gathering, screening, and referral will take place. The state plan visualizes uniform portal as a set of functions (e.g. screening, assessment, referral, crisis) rather than a specific location. Once a referral to a provider or local program has occurred additional assessment may occur to help determine eligibility for services. Crisis calls will be referred to the emergency/crisis system put into place by each LME.

Having a uniform portal system will create a statewide data system to track who has requested service, whether those services are received, and what services are needed that are not available. It should reduce the number of people "falling through the cracks" as well as provide information for planning and management. The contract agency will communicate daily with the LME regarding calls, referrals, etc. This statewide data system also will reduce the need for individuals to provide the same information to multiple providers and agencies. To respond to concerns about confidentiality, a Confidentiality Consent will be obtained from the caller before submitting information into the database and confidentiality will be addressed in system design.