Thursday, March 17, 2005
Kendra's Law: Final Report on the Status of Assisted Outpatient Treatment A 64-page report, in
Adobe Acrobat format, from the New York State Office of Mental Health, called to our attention at the
Open Minds web site - "On August 9, 1999, Governor George Pataki signed Kendra’s Law (Chapter 408 of the Laws of 1999), creating a statutory framework for courtordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) to ensure that individuals with mental illness and a history of hospitalizations or violence participate in community-based services appropriate to their needs. ... Kendra’s Law established new mechanisms for identifying individuals who, in view of their treatment history and circumstances, are likely to have difficulty living safely in the community without close monitoring and mandatory participation in treatment. It also established mechanisms for ensuring that local mental health systems give these individuals priority access to case management and other services necessary to ensure their safety and successful community living."
Substance-abuse agency would lose half of funds (Missouri) Story in
The Missourian - "The Missouri Department of Mental Health opened its books to a Senate committee Monday amid protests against Gov. Matt Blunt’s proposed cuts. Department director Dorn Schuffman told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the division of alcohol and drug abuse would lose nearly half its funding to Blunt’s proposed Medicaid cuts, which total about $12 million..."
County, mental health, law enforcement officials hopeful for mental health deputy grant (Texas) MyWestTexas story - "While awaiting word from the state, county and area mental health officials said Wednesday they are optimistic about the possibility of mental health deputies joining its law enforcement team. Midland-based Permian Basin Community Centers has submitted to Austin a grant proposal for mental health deputies to serve Midland and Ector counties. The center services the Permian Basin's mental health and mental retardation (MHMR) communities. The request arises from a need to have deputies who are trained to properly assess the needs of MHMR citizens. "
County health center to cut staff, close Lincoln clinic (Montana) Helena News story - "A tight budget has forced Helena's Cooperative Health Center to cut nearly one-fourth of its staff, reduce services and raise fees. The CHC is primarily geared toward serving low-income and poor patients, but a change in patient mix has the nonprofit agency facing a $380,000 budget hole. Those with Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance tend to make up for those with no insurance, but those without insurance have steadily climbed to 65 percent of the patient load. That caused the shortfall. ... The CHC served about 6,000 patients, handling 19,000 visits last year. The one mental health counselor served 250 clients."
SAMHSA announces new Voice Awards PR Newswire press release at
Yahoo - "Nominations are now being accepted for the Voice Awards, a new award that honors entertainment industry writers and producers who create positive portrayals of people with mental illnesses. The awards are sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The goal of the new Voice Awards is to recognize writers and producers of entertainment programming -- television, radio and film -- who have given 'voice' to people with mental illnesses by incorporating dignified, respectful and accurate portrayals into their scripts, programs and productions." See also the
Voice Awards web site.
Mental health experts see crisis in treatment (Colorado) Vail Daily News story - "When people don't receive adequate treatment for substance abuse, depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health issues, their symptoms worsen, often causing them to end up in an emergency room or in jail, said Mike McCormick, division director of Colorado West Mental Health. Many people don't get treatment because they can't afford to, he said. 'Eventually taxpayers have to pay for these people one way or the other,' McCormick said. 'We could probably prevent them from going into more expensive services if the funding was better provided.' Admission to emergency rooms for mental health and substance abuse issues increased 83 percent in the past three years, said Don Myers of Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital in Denver. "
