Which type of clients must not be accepted or retained in an ARF?

Clients requiring acute psychiatric care must not be accepted or retained in an Adult Residential Facility (ARF) because these facilities are designed primarily to support individuals who need assistance with daily living activities and may have stable mental health conditions. Acute psychiatric care typically involves managing severe mental health crises that require specialized intervention from licensed mental health professionals. This level of care is outside the scope of services that ARFs are equipped to provide.

In an ARF, the focus is on supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, mild to moderate mental health needs, or those who require help in day-to-day activities, rather than addressing acute psychiatric situations that need a crisis intervention approach, medication management, or intensive therapy. Thus, accepting clients requiring acute psychiatric care would pose risks to their wellbeing and exceed the facility's capabilities.