Psychiatric Disabilities/Mental Illness

This report is the latest in a series of annual reports that present expenditures data for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers authorized under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. Table 1 presents reported Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 expenditures for each HCBS waiver in effect during that year. Table 2 presents HCBS waiver expenditures data from FY 2004 through FY 2009 by state. The remaining tables present data according to the populations served in waivers.

Ten grants were awarded to states to develop a profile of the publicly funded LTC system and to assist CMS to develop national benchmarks that will be used to measure the degree and success of states' efforts to offer community based LTC services. Review Michigan’s report which focuses on the priority population of the elderly and adults with physical disabilities, but also includes systems that serve adults with developmental disabilities, adults with mental illness and children.

SAMHSA provides toolkits to promote the use of evidence-based practices in mental health. This set focuses on Permanent Supportive Housing defined as decent, safe, and affordable community-based housing that provides residents the rights of tenancy under state and local landlord-tenant laws. The housing is linked to voluntary and flexible support and services designed to meet tenants’ needs and preferences.

How are state MIG programs reaching out to the business community? The state of Indiana created a training curriculum to help promote the hiring of people with disabilities. The attached samples include business outreach models currently offered by companies, the LOWE’S “Building A New Future” project, disability awareness training for Walgreens, business development of rural providers, a form template for worksite analysis, and coaching and natural support ideas training.

Are you dealing with the complicated challenges of financially developing a business? Could you use help with managing your 501(c)(3)? This guide provides technical assistance for the fundamental business principles and practices involved in running a non-profit business. It was developed with the idea that the reader has already taken the first steps of legally incorporating the business.

Are first responders equipped to help people with disabilities? The state of Wyoming wants to make sure theirs are. When responding to an emergency, first responders may encounter persons with some type of disability who will require assistance. The attached handout was given to them to help inform them about different disabilities and how to address them appropriately and effectively during an emergency.

The first Ticket to Work Mental Health Summit was held in New Orleans, LA on November 15–17, 2009. Mental and behavioral health decision makers engaged in presentations, networking experiences, and the opportunity to learn how the Ticket to Work program can help people with a severe mental illness with recovery through work. The archived web site holds presentation materials, Power Point slides, speaker biographies, links to speaker webcasts, and other helpful resources.

How can states better access the needs of their clients as well as their MIG programs? One approach Alaska has taken is instituting the AST test, which is designed to screen for substance abuse, mental illness, and traumatic brain injury. The AST can produce multiple recommendations for more efficient care, state the population needs of each agency, and assist the state in federal reporting requirements. Review a sample screening form which could serve as a template for other states.

Why focus on employment? Funded by Oregon’s MIG grant, this presentation stresses the importance of working for social reasons, not just financial ones. It presents the case that supported employment is an important part of improving the lives of people with a mental health diagnosis. The principles and findings described here provide information that could be beneficial to any state interested in the issues of evidence based supported employment and the research to back it up.

The New Freedom Commission on Mental Health identified self-directed care as one service innovation that could create a more consumer- and family oriented mental health system. Four years later, there are still fewer than 400 consumers in five states accessing self-directed care in the public mental health system. This Open Forum identifies three main barriers to explain this lack of progress. The abstract and article are available for download here.