OUTLINE FOR ADULT AND CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH PLANS
FOR 2011
I. Description of the State Service System
§ Overview of the State’s mental health system: A description of how the public mental health system is currently organized at the State and local levels. This description includes a discussion of the roles of the State Mental Health Agency and other State agencies with respect to the delivery of services that affect people with mental illnesses. A description of regional, county, and local entities that provide mental health services or contribute resources that assist in providing the services is also included.
§ New developments and issues: A description of any other recent changes that affect mental health service delivery in the State, such as those related to Medicaid waivers, managed care, State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), or contracting arrangements.
§ Legislative initiatives and changes: A description of any recent legislation or other policy changes that have affected how services are provided.
§ Description of state agency’s leadership: A description of how the State mental health agency provides leadership in coordinating mental health services within the broader system.
II. Identification and Analysis of System Strengths, Needs, and Priorities
§ The strengths and weaknesses of the service system;
§ Unmet service needs: critical gaps within the current system, including identification of data sources used to identify the needs and gaps;
§ The State’s priorities and plans to address unmet needs and critical gaps;
§ Recent significant achievements that reflect progress towards the development of a comprehensive community-based mental health system of care; and
§ State’s vision for the future: A brief description of the comprehensive community-based public mental health system that the State envisions for the future.
III. Description of Current Activities in the State Plan
Criterion 1: Comprehensive Community-Based Mental Health Service Systems
§ Provides for the establishment and implementation of an organized community-based system of care for individuals with mental illness, including those with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
§ Describes available services and resources within a comprehensive system of care, provided with Federal, State, and other public and private resources, in order to enable such individuals to function outside of inpatient or residential institutions to the maximum extent of their capabilities. These shall include:
o Health, mental health, and rehabilitation services;
o Employment services;
o Housing services;
o Educational services;
o Substance abuse services;
o Medical and dental services;
o Support services;
o Services provided by local school systems under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA);
o Case management services;
o Services for persons with co-occurring (substance abuse/mental health) disorders; and
o Other activities leading to reduction of hospitalization.
Criterion 2: Mental Health System Data Epidemiology
§ Contains an estimate of the incidence and prevalence in the State of serious mental illness among adults and serious emotional disturbance among children.
Criterion 3: Children’s Services (Children’s Plan only)
§ Provides for a system of integrated services in order for children to receive care for their multiple needs. Services that should be integrated into a comprehensive system of care include:
o Social services;
o Educational services, including services provided under IDEA;
o Juvenile justice services;
o Substance abuse services; and
o Health and mental health services.
§ Establishes defined geographic area for the provision of the services of such system.
Criterion 4: Targeted Services to Rural and Homeless Populations and to Older Adults
§ Describes the State’s outreach to and services for individuals who are homeless;
§ Describes how community-based services will be provided to individuals in rural areas; and
§ Describes how community-based services are provided to older adults.
Criterion 5: Management Systems
§ Describes financial resources, staffing, and training for mental health services providers necessary for the plan;
§ Provides for training of providers of emergency health services regarding mental health; and
§ Describes how the State intends to expend this grant for the fiscal years involved.