Wednesday, July 30, 2003

MHCA: Executive Report (2nd quarter)
The most recent issue of MHCA's quarterly newsletter, which includes the article "Developing Safety Mindfulness in Staff: Reducing Adverse Incidents in a Behavioral Health Care Organization" by the Vinfen Corporation (Cambridge, Massachusetts), winner of the President’s Award, 2003 Negley Awards for Excellence in Risk Management (Adobe Acrobat format).  
  

Recovery and Change (UK)
The National Institute for Mental Health in England annual report and strategic plan for the next three years, "which focuses on system transformation, workforce development and improving service to users and their families" (Adobe Acrobat).  
  

Diminished care, diminishing returns
Sunday Oregonian story reprinted at the NAMI web site - "In the past five months, Oregon has dramatically reduced its spending on mental health, saving the cash-strapped state $21 million. But state officials say those savings are already evaporating as people ... deteriorate and require much more expensive care. Many have landed in hospital psychiatric units and emergency rooms, where a few hours of care can cost as much as six months of outpatient treatment."  
  

New program treats rural youth and targets barriers to care
NIMH press release at EurekAlert - "Adolescents and teens with emotional and behavioral problems will receive treatment as part of a new study in eight of the poorest Appalachian counties in Eastern Tennessee. Researchers will work with judges, school administrators, and community leaders to overcome barriers to mental health services. The project is structured to ensure that successful therapies and partnerships with state funding agencies and organizations will continue after the study ends. The 5-year, more than $4 million grant to the University of Tennessee was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)."  
  

SAMHSA Releases Reports on Public and Private Sector Financing of Mental Health Services |
July 24 SAMHSA press release on three new reports that examine public and private sector financing of mental health services. The reports include: The Provision of Mental Health Services in Managed Care Organizations, "which provides an in-depth update about provision of mental health services under managed care, and an understanding of mental health services provided to privately insured enrollees"; Medical Necessity in Private Health Plans: Implications for Behavioral Health Care, "which addresses how the term 'medical necessity' is defined in private health insurance coverage decisions"; and Medicaid Financing of State and County Psychiatric Hospitals, which "addresses the lack of comprehensive information regarding the nature and scope of Medicaid support for individuals in psychiatric institutions." The press release indicates that these reports are available at the www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov web site, but could not be located there. An 800 number for ordering the reports is also provided.  
  

Poll will assess mental health program needs (Michigan)
Grand Rapids Press story on Ottawa County - "Community Mental Health officials soon will find out what more they need to do for the people of the county. The CMH board of directors received an update Monday on the upcoming community needs assessment to be conducted by River Hills Consulting to survey health services and providers throughout the county."  
  

County forced to nix human-service pacts (Pennsylvania)
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review story - "People receiving counseling and other help paid for by Allegheny County will continue to receive reduced services until state legislators decide whether to restore cuts in the state budget. The county is notifying 38 human-service providers that their contracts will be terminated Thursday -- the last day of July -- as a result of the state cuts. "  
  

Mental health director says agency's long term goal is to integrate services (South Carolina)
Beaufort Gazette story - "Consolidating public health care services under one roof within communities should be the state's long-term goal, officials with the Department of Mental Health told Gov. Mark Sanford at an agency budget hearing Tuesday. Mental Health Department Director George Gintoli said local campuses where clients could receive eye exams, a physical, or mental health treatment would be more convenient and cost effective in the long run than separate facilities. Merging them would also reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, he said. Advocates for the mentally ill who attended the hearing agreed." See also Sanford makes case to merge agencies (Charleston Post Courier) and Mental health agency seeks unity (Sun News).