Lartey Wellness Group Pro Bono Services Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the criteria, scope, and limitations for providing pro bono (no-cost) therapy services at Lartey Wellness Group. This program is designed to support individuals in financial need while ensuring the offering remains sustainable and maintains high clinical integrity. Lartey Wellness Group is committed to community wellness, but must balance free services with available resources to preserve quality of care and operational viability.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for pro bono services, a client must meet all of the following criteria:

No Insurance Coverage: The client has no active health insurance coverage (including Medicaid, Medicare, or any private insurance plan).

Inability to Pay: The client demonstrates financial hardship and attests that they are unable to self-pay for therapy services.

Management Approval: The client's eligibility for pro bono services is subject to verification and must be reviewed and approved by Lartey Wellness Group management before any scheduling of services.

Acknowledgment of Policy: For new clients, this Pro Bono Services Policy must be read and signed (via the client portal) prior to the start of services, indicating that the client understands and agrees to these terms.

Ineligibility Criteria

Clients do not qualify for pro bono services if any of the following conditions apply:

Legal Involvement: Current involvement in court or legal proceedings (for example, being on probation or parole, facing pending charges, or under deferred adjudication).

Protective Services: Active involvement with child protective services or adult protective services (open investigations or ongoing monitoring).

Divorce/Custody Cases: Situations involving couples currently in, or actively moving toward, divorce or separation proceedings. Likewise, active child custody disputes or court cases related to custody make a client ineligible.

Court-Ordered Treatment: Any counseling or treatment that is court-ordered or required by a legal authority.

Substance Dependence: Cases where the primary presenting concern is an active substance use dependence or addiction (e.g. primarily needing drug/alcohol rehabilitation services).

Severe Mental Illness: The presence of a chronic or severe mental illness that requires long-term management, specialized care, or intensive treatment beyond what can be provided in a short-term therapy model.

Out of Scope Needs: Presenting issues that fall outside the scope of practice or clinical competence of our intern providers (for example, needs that would be better served by specialists or higher levels of care).

If any of the above conditions emerge or become known during the course of pro bono services, Lartey Wellness Group reserves the right to re-evaluate the client's eligibility and discontinue pro bono services as appropriate.

Provider Assignment

Pro bono therapy services at Lartey Wellness Group will only be provided by counseling interns (qualified graduate-level trainees under supervision). Interns are unlicensed practitioners who work under the guidance of licensed clinicians. Licensed professionals and prescribers — including licensed therapists, nurse practitioners, or psychiatrists — will not be assigned to pro bono cases under this policy. Scheduling and continuation of pro bono sessions are contingent on the availability of an intern; if an intern is unavailable or leaves the practice, alternate pro bono arrangements are not guaranteed.

Duration of Services

Pro bono services are intended as a short-term support. Each eligible client may receive up to a maximum of three (3) months of pro bono therapy from the start of services. This timeframe is designed to provide brief support and stabilization rather than long-term ongoing therapy. Extensions beyond three months are not guaranteed; any exception (an extension of the pro bono period) would require approval from management under truly exceptional circumstances. Clients should expect that pro bono services will end at the three-month mark in almost all cases.

Scope of Services

Pro bono support from Lartey Wellness Group is limited to therapy sessions only. This includes standard individual counseling sessions (typically talk therapy). Other services are expressly excluded from the pro bono program, such as: - Psychiatric medication management or prescription services (these require a medical provider and are not covered under pro bono). - Psychological evaluations or formal testing/assessment services. - Completion of documentation, letters, or forms on the client's behalf (for courts, employers, disability claims, etc.). - Any other ancillary or administrative services not part of regular therapy sessions.

The focus of the pro bono program is to provide counseling support. Clients who require services beyond the scope listed above will need to seek those through paid services or external resources.

Transition Planning

Before the three-month pro bono period concludes, a transition plan will be put in place to help the client move to a sustainable form of care. Lartey Wellness Group will work with the client to arrange one of the following transitions:

Self-Pay or Insurance within Practice: If feasible, the client may transition to a self-pay arrangement or use health insurance (if they obtain coverage) to continue therapy with a provider at Lartey Wellness Group. This option is subject to the client’s eligibility for our other services and the availability of an appropriate provider.

Referral to External Resources: If continuing within our practice is not possible, the client will be provided with referrals to community-based or low-cost mental health resources. This may include non-profit counseling centers, support groups, sliding-scale clinics, or other relevant services in the community that can offer ongoing care.

Any continuation of care with Lartey Wellness Group after the pro bono period will only occur if the client has secured a payment source (such as active insurance or an arrangement to pay out-of-pocket). Well in advance of the pro bono service end date, the client and intern will discuss the plan for next steps, so there is no disruption in support. Our goal is to ensure that by the end of the pro bono term, the client has a clear path forward for maintaining their mental health care.

Limitations

Limited Availability: Pro bono services are offered on a limited basis and solely at the discretion of Lartey Wellness Group. The practice can accommodate only a certain number of pro bono clients at any given time. Availability of pro bono slots may be capped or subject to waiting lists, and the practice may periodically suspend offering new pro bono openings depending on resource constraints. There is no guarantee that pro bono services will be available to every eligible applicant.

Early Termination for Non-Compliance: Participation in the pro bono program requires commitment to treatment. Lartey Wellness Group reserves the right to terminate pro bono services early if a client does not comply with treatment expectations. This includes, but is not limited to, repeatedly missing scheduled appointments (e.g. multiple no-shows or late cancellations), failure to actively participate in therapy, or any violation of clinic policies or guidelines. If such issues occur, the intern provider will consult with management, and a decision may be made to discontinue the pro bono services prior to the three-month limit. Consistent attendance and engagement are expected to continue in the program.

Disclaimer and Policy Terms

This Pro Bono Services Policy is intended to outline guidelines for free services but does not guarantee the availability or provision of pro bono therapy to any individual. Lartey Wellness Group retains the sole discretion to approve or deny pro bono service requests based on the criteria above, resource availability, and the practice’s capacity.

Furthermore, this policy and program are subject to change. Lartey Wellness Group may modify, suspend, or discontinue the pro bono services program, or revise this policy, at any time and without prior notice, as needed to protect operational sustainability and clinical standards.

This document is meant for informational purposes and does not constitute a contract. It does not establish a legally binding obligation on the part of Lartey Wellness Group to provide services. Participation in the pro bono program is completely voluntary and is provided as a goodwill service. By enrolling in pro bono services, clients acknowledge that the program may be ended or changed at the discretion of Lartey Wellness Group, and no entitlement or ongoing right to free services is implied. The organization’s decision on all matters related to this policy (including eligibility, continuation, and termination of pro bono services) is final.