Thursday, December 30, 2004

Jail mental health unit gets a needed reprieve (Massachusetts)
Story in The Republican - "In a state prison system that has come under heavy criticism for its emphasis on warehousing inmates rather than rehabilitating them, Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe Jr. stands out as someone who is getting it right. One of the ways the sheriff gets it right dates back to 1994 when he established an acute-care unit at the jail for an estimated 25 percent of inmates with mental-health problems..."  
  

Troubled LA hospital could lose funding after failing inspection (California)
AP story at the San Luis Obispo Tribune - "A troubled South Los Angeles hospital could lose nearly $200 million in funding next month after failing a federal inspection of procedures used to restrain aggressive psychiatric patients. Earlier this month, Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center received its second warning in six months about Los Angeles County police using Taser stun guns to subdue mental patients. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the county-owned hospital was putting patients in "immediate jeopardy" by not first trying less extreme methods. Hospital officials responded by pledging to start replacing officers with mental health workers to calm patients. They said workers would be retrained to handle patients without resorting to stun guns or restraints. But federal regulators found hospital employees were still following improper procedures during mock drills conducted Tuesday..."  
  

Report outlines new battle plan for autism (Pennsylvania)
PhillyBurbs.com story - "The state task force charged with recommending ways to improve the organization, financing and delivery of services and treatment for Pennsylvania residents with Autism Spectrum Disorder released Wednesday what it calls its 'blueprint for change.' The 280-member task force's final report includes five "major" recommendations it believes that state lawmakers need to immediately address when the legislative session reconvenes. Such initiatives will help people and families grappling with the mysterious lifelong brain disorder that severely impairs communication skills and social interaction, according to the task force."  
  

New law allows court-ordered treatment for mentally ill (Florida)
Story in the Sun Sentinel on a new law that takes effect Jan. 1 - "Until now, the state could commit a mentally ill person only if a judge deemed the person a threat to themselves or others. Short of that risk, a person was released. Under the change, Florida courts will be able to order that mentally ill people undergo community-based treatment if they have a history of not taking their medications and have behaved violently once in the past three years."  
  

Law requires treatment for mentally ill (Michigan)
Holland Sentinel story - "A mentally ill person who does not follow prescribed treatment could be ordered to receive outpatient treatment under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. For a judge to order treatment, an individual must have been hospitalized, jailed, imprisoned or have acted violently within the previous two years. Family members or others also can intervene to help the mentally ill get treatment before hurting themselves or others..."