Thursday, May 20, 2004
Behavioral health group works to expand services for children (Georgia)Savannah Morning News story on Savannah Area Behavioral Health Collaborative and its "... multi-agency approach to providing outpatient, day treatment and support and intensive family interventions for children suffering serious mental illness issues including depression, early-schizophrenia or bipolar disorder..."
Bill would let suspended firms take new clients (Louisiana)Times-Picayune story - "Mental health service providers suspended by state authorities would be allowed to accept new clients while their cases are being appealed under a resolution that squeaked through a House committee Wednesday. ... Supporters said the resolution is designed to guarantee due process rights and keep the companies from going out of business while their cases are heard. Opponents said the resolution would be a setback to efforts launched last year after the state's $39 million mental health rehabilitation program was harshly criticized in an advocacy group's report..."
Photos provide windows on ill children's worlds (Massachusetts)Boston Globe article on a project at the Framingham-based Wayside Youth and Family Support Network - "At first, the idea was to document children and families affected by mental illness through a series of essays and photo portraits. But then staff ... had a more innovative idea: Why not let the children take the pictures and let their work speak for itself? So they put two dozen disposable cameras into the hands of children enrolled in programs at Wayside and at the Walker Home and School in Needham. The children have brain conditions including autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, developmental delays, Tourette's syndrome, depression, and bipolar disease. Some have suffered physical, psychological, or sexual abuse. For many, self-expression in any form is no easy task..."
Two mental health agencies consolidating operations (Ohio)Cincinnati Enquirer story - "Two large Hamilton County mental health agencies are merging into a single agency that hopes to reduce costs while improving services for more than 2,500 people with severe mental illnesses. The new nonprofit agency - Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services - reflects the combination of QC/M, an agency that provides treatment and case management services, and CRI, a provider of residential and vocational services..."
Cass hears report on mental health services (Minnesota)Story in the
Brainerd Dispatch - "Frank Schaap, Cass County adult human services supervisor, explained to the county board Tuesday the mental health services the county now provides to people moved from state regional treatment centers. Administrator Robert Yochum asked whether the shift from state facilities to group homes caused the 40 percent increase in costs for hold orders and poor relief mental health costs here between 2002 and 2003..."
Sunset speaks out on mental health (California)San Francisco Examiner story - "
Advocates for Sunset Mental Health Services may have received some political support in efforts to save the clinic from closure.
Supervisor Fiona Ma, who represents the Sunset District, held a press conference Tuesday to discuss the Department of Public Health's recent budget proposal that would close the mental health clinic located on 41st Avenue.
The proposal seeks to consolidate four of the department's 10 mental health clinics, one each in the Sunset District and the South of Market area and two in the Mission District, into nearby primary-care facilities..."
