Mental Health Systems Improvement Workgroups

Revised 9/5/2007

With the recent passage of the State's Mental Health Systems Improvement bill there are major sections in the legislation that require that the Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) form planning workgroups.  These workgroups are to make recommendations to the MHMRDDBI commission, to the DHS director, and the legislature.  The legislation states:

"In order to build upon the partnership between the state and the counties in providing mental health and disability services in the state, the workgroups established for purposes of this subsection shall engage equal proportions representing the department, counties, and service providers.  The county and provider representatives shall be appointed by the statewide associations representing counties and community providers.  In addition, each workgroup shall include a representative of the commission, the mental health planning and advisory council, consumers, and a statewide advocacy organization"

Events Calendar

August 2007 (only)

September 2007 (only)

For workgroup information, click on the links below

Steering Committee

Alternative Distribution Formulas

Purpose:  Review the current funding distribution formulas and methods for MH and Disability Services to counties.  A review of approaches taken by other states will occur.  Specific recommendations will be prepared. The workgroup will identify resources needed, anticipated costs for implementation, and requirements for rule, code and statute changes to implement recommendations of the workgroup.

Core Mental Health Services

Purpose: Review the current Ch230a standards for CMHCs and update to include a specific array of “core services” to be offered by CMHCs for children, youth and adults.  Specific core services will minimally include: emergency mental health services, etc.   Each CMHC or CSA will be expected to contract or have a letter of agreement with a local inpatient psychiatric unit to serve consumers in need of inpatient hospitalization. The workgroup will identify resources needed, anticipated costs for implementation, and requirements for rule, code and statute changes to implement recommendations of the workgroup.

Mental Health and Core Agency Standards and Accreditation

Purpose: Review the current CMHC standards and revise according to the delineation of core services and to allow CMHCs to operate under the direction of the DHS MHDS. The workgroup will develop accreditation standards for core service agencies as well as emergency mental health services.  A review of standards from other states will occur. Consideration by this workgroup will be given on quality improvement activities, the inclusion of co-occurring and systems of care principles in the standards. The workgroup will identify resources needed, anticipated costs for implementation, and requirements for rule, code and statute changes to implement recommendations of the workgroup

Evidence Based Practices

Purpose: prepare a three-year plan to implement a range of children, youth and adult EBPs through staff orientation and training. Focus of training will be on CMHCs, MHIs, State Resource Centers; DHS operated Juvenile facilities, PMICs and Core Service Agencies.  Training programs must demonstrate that they employ evidence-based practices for teaching/training.  The workgroup will identify resources needed, anticipated costs for implementation, and requirements for rule, code and statute changes to implement recommendations of the workgroup.

Community Mental Health Center Plan

Purpose: Prepare a phased plan for increasing state responsibility for and oversight of mental health services provided by community mental health centers and the providers approved to fill the role of a center.  The plan shall provide for an initial implementation date of July 1, 2008.  The plan shall be submitted to the commission on or before October 1, 2007.  The department shall ensure that key stakeholders are engaged in the planning process, including but not limited to the commission, mental health services providers, individuals with expertise in the delivery of mental health services, youth and adult consumers, family members of consumers, advocacy organizations, and counties.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Purpose: In addition to the work with the Policy Academy, this workgroup will design and begin the implementation of the CCISC model (Minkof) for co-occurring disorders through training CMHCs, MHIs, DHS-operated Juvenile facilities, Core Service Agencies and PMICs.  Use of specific program evaluation, staff training, and quality improvement instruments will be integrated into the planning process. The workgroup will identify resources needed, anticipated costs for implementation, and requirements for rule, code and statute changes to implement recommendations of the workgroup.