History of Catholic Family Service of the Diocese of Saginaw 

     The history of Catholic Family Service dates to the establishment of the Diocese of Saginaw on February 26, 1938, by Pope Pius XI. Since 1939, social services, guided by Catholic social teaching have been provided by the diocese to the members of the civic community.  Between 1939-1952 these services were provided by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Saginaw.  Catholic Charities was a non-profit charitable corporation which provided family and child health and welfare services.  This included counseling, foster care and adoption placement.  In 1962, Catholic Charities was renamed Catholic Family Service, a name which it retains today.  

     Over the years, as the needs of the local communities have changed, so are the services provided by Catholic Family Service.  Today Catholic Family Service provides counseling services as well as guardianship and conservatorship services to the residents of Bay County. 

Who we serve 

     Catholic Family Service provides Outpatient Services to all individuals, adults, children, adolescents and families. It is Catholic Family Service policy not to discriminate because of race, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or national origin. 

Access and Eligibility: 
Accessing services is a phone call away. The front office staff will ask questions that address the events happening in your life. These questions will enable Catholic Family Service to assign a therapist to best meet your needs. Catholic Family Service accepts most insurances and has a sliding fee scale for those that are underinsured or uninsured. Our front office staff has over 40 years of combined billing experience and can help you navigate the insurance company and give you an idea of cost prior to your first session. 

Client Rights: 
Catholic Family Service will work to protect and assure the rights of every client served. Client rights will be explained to clients at the time of admission, at the time or renewal, and any other time when clarification is needed.

These rights include: 
1. Confidentiality Information: Client had the right to confidentiality except in the event that you express intention to harm yourself or others. 
2. Freedom from abuse, financial or other exploitation, retaliation, humiliation, or neglect. 
3. Access to information in sufficient time to facility client’s decision-making. 
4. Informed consent or refusal to legal entities for appropriate representation. 
5. Access to self-help and advocacy support services. 
6. Adherence to research guidelines and ethic when the person served is involved. 
7. The right to report inadequate or unprofessional service to Clinical Supervisor and/or Director. 
8. Investigation and resolution and alleged infringements of rights. 
9. Other legal rights.

Catholic Family Service will provide service to adults, adolescents, and children in individual, family and group sessions. Substance Abuse services are available in the Saginaw offices.  

Catholic Family Service clinical staff consists of professionals who possess a LMSW, LLMSW, LPC, LLPC, LLP, NP, and Psy. D license. Catholic Family Service will provide services to all populations using a strength-based approach  to determine the best treatment plan. It is the responsibility of all agency staff to do whatever possible to assure that such rights are protected. It is the client’s responsibility to attend all scheduled appointments or contact Catholic Family Service to reschedule the appointment. 

Appeals and Grievances: 
It is the agency’s intent to provide the best level of service possible. At times, for a variety of reasons, a concern or dissatisfaction may exist. If this arises each client has the right to, and encouraged to, present any concern by filing a “grievance”. You can file a grievance by calling, visiting, or writing to 710 N. Michigan Ave. Saginaw, MI. 48602. 
Fair and prompt consideration and adjustment of the complaint, misunderstanding, or concern will be as follows: 

1) Any concern or dissatisfaction will be discussed between the client and his/her agency worker. The client has a right to a response from his/her working within five (5) working days from date of discussion. It is expected that most problems can be resolved with such discussions. In situations where a resolution is not reached, the client will be provided an additional copy of the client grievance procedure. 

2) Failing resolution at Step 1, the client will submit his or her concern or dissatisfaction in writing within five (5) working days from the time the worker response was given, to the person next in authority, that worker’s supervisor/area director. That person will respond in writing to the client with a decision within five (5) working days. An individual or joint interview may be held by the worker handling the complaint at this level for fact finding purposes and/or to reach a resolution. 

 

3) Failing resolution at Step 2, a written complaint may be submitted by the client to the executive director, within five (5) working days from the date of receipt of the response from the supervisor/area director. The executive director will respond within five (5) working days. An individual or joint interview may be held at this level for fact finding purpose and/or reach a resolution. 

Confidentially and HIPPA: 
Client privacy is a priority for Catholic Family Service. Accordingly, information is only given out or obtained within the framework of the agency’s procedures around a release of information. 

In addition, in order to protect confidentiality the following are prohibited: 
The agency will abide by HIPAA policy except where federal, state or local policy and/or ethics exceed these standards. 
The use of identifiable photographs or video tapes for public relations without the client’s informed written consent, or that of the client’s parent or legal guardian if he/she is a minor. 

Accreditation: 
Catholic Family Service has been awarded a three year accreditation (2024-2027) from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for the following program(s)/service(s) 

– Saginaw location 
Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Adults) 
Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults)  
Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents) 
– Bay City Location 
Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults)  
Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Children and Adolescents) 

CARF Website 
Mission: The mission of CARF is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served.