Monday, February 21, 2005
Teen's Lawsuit Could Alter North Carolina Care WSOC-TV story - "North Carolina could be forced to spend millions of dollars to make mental health services more available statewide if it loses a lawsuit working its way through the courts. Wake Superior Court Judge Howard E. Manning Jr. ruled after hearings in December that the state is required to provide the services prescribed for a Henderson County 16-year-old by his psychiatrist. Manning has sent the case of Thomas Reiter back to an administrative law judge to determine whether the state has fulfilled its obligation. A hearing is expected in the next few weeks. But Thomas Reiter's mother, Kathy, has no more patience. The state has failed for decades to provide adequate care, she said. She doesn't believe the state will meet a July 1 deadline to launch new local programs that will keep her son out of institutions. The widely watched case has the potential to affect community-based care for the mentally ill across the state. In Wake, Durham and Johnston counties alone, 7,014 children receive such services..."
When care is needed, not incarceration (New Jersey) North Jersey Media Group story on jail diversion - "...a program that provides alternatives for inmates with mental illness. The idea is to stop cycling people ...in and out of jail continuously. Instead, they are treated for psychological problems, and supported as they try to get established with a job and a place to live. The new approach holds the promise of a better life for the participants, and removes them from the prison system. Some even hope that by reducing jail populations, it may save taxpayers money."
Teddy bear raises business ethics questions AP story in the
Buffalo News - "Someday, the straitjacketed 'Crazy For You' bear may be a case study in America's business schools. The decision by the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. to market the stuffed toy - and to keep doing so despite widespread criticism it was insensitive toward the mentally ill - has intrigued business ethicists and public relations executives around the country. Was the bear a brilliant marketing ploy or a big mistake? ... When mental health groups and Gov. James Douglas complained about the "Crazy for You" bear, the company responded by saying it was sorry if it had offended anyone, but would continue selling the bears until its inventory was gone. "
Family advocate can relate to her clients (Maryland) Herald-Mail story - "As a family advocate hired to support Washington County families caring for children with mental health issues, Vivian Miller says she knows what many of them are facing. And it's not from reading about it in books. 'I have a 12-year-old son with four mental disorders so I know what it's like,' Miller said from her office at 33 W. Washington St., Room 210. When she first came on board, Miller sent out 300 letters in December to anyone and everyone she could think of who would be interested in the issues families face with such children, both at home and at school. 'I wanted them to know there is no cost associated with any of the services I offer,' Miller said. 'And I wanted them to know they aren't alone.'"
Budget cuts threaten new St. Charles treatment facility (Missouri) St. Louis Post Dispatch story - "A new $1 million residential treatment facility for men with substance abuse problems, scheduled to open in April in St. Charles, might not serve its intended purpose if budget cuts proposed by Gov. Matt Blunt are approved. Janet Woodburn, president and CEO of Bridgeway Counseling Services Inc., said Thursday that her agency would be hit hard if Blunt's suggested cuts are approved. ... Blunt has proposed cuts in areas such as the Missouri Department of Mental Health, which includes substance and alcohol abuse treatment programs..."
Crisis centers see risk in cuts (Mississippi) Clarion-Ledger story - "Partially opening five mental health crisis centers last year and fully opening a sixth helped the state cut by a third the number of mentally ill people locked up in jail cells waiting for a bed, state mental health officials say. Now, they fear that number could rise if lawmakers make a deep cut to mental health services, and force them to scale back crisis center services. Lawmakers are still in budget negotiations, but the worst-case scenario for the Mental Health Department is severe. If the Legislature adopts its budget writers' recommendation, it could mean the elimination of 1,451 of its 9,300 positions and the closure of 685 beds, including all beds at the six crisis centers..."
Mental health faces cuts (Washington) News-Tribune story - "Thousands of people across the state will lose mental health services July 1 unless the Legislature comes up with $82 million to restore federal Medicaid cuts. Already, hundreds of mentally ill people have been turned away from community services. Experts say many will end up in jail, on the streets or in emergency rooms if they cant get help anywhere else. ... The state might not ride to their rescue. The Legislature and the governor are facing a $2.2 billion shortfall over the next two-year budget cycle. The federal cut will vaporize 20 percent of the states community mental health budget."
