Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 25 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 25
(By Delegates Hall, Wells, Perdue, Susman and Leach)
[Introduced March 2, 2005; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to direct
the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human
Resources Accountability (LOCHHRA) to oversee the development
of the state mental health plan and to ensure that the process
moves towards the development of improved care of the mental
health needs of the citizens of West Virginia.
W
HEREAS
, The Mental Health Plan, the State Health Plan, the
(Behavioral) Health Criteria for Performance Excellence, Healthy
People 2010, as well as other goal-setting recommendation plans,
each contains some discussion of the topic of mental health, the
degree of which depends on the particular document; and
W
HEREAS
, According to the Department of Health and Human
Resources, over four hundred juveniles are in out-of-state care
facilities at any given time, for a total cost of more than $22
million per year in out-of-state expenditures, due to a lack of
adequate care systems within the state; and
W
HEREAS
, In over one hundred of the afore-mentioned instances, parents must sign custody of their children over to the state in
order for the child to qualify for funding to cover the cost of
treatment; and
W
HEREAS
, The appropriate treatment of juveniles with serious
emotional disturbances and their families requires a collaborative
state effort from multiple agencies, including, but not limited to:
the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, the
Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, the Bureau of
Children and Families, the Department of Education, and the
Division of Juvenile Services; and
W
HEREAS
, Community-based mental health care creates an
environment of stability for those afflicted with mental health
problems who receive family-based treatment in their communities of
residence; and
W
HEREAS,
Federal Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services
grants are available to develop comprehensive, community-based
systems of care for youth with serious emotional disturbances and
their families, but may only be applied to in-state treatment; and
W
HEREAS
, The Legislature should explore the possibilities of
developing a comprehensive multi-agency mental health plan in the
State of West Virginia -- identifying the core services needed in
West Virginia communities in order to provide adequate care to its
residents, addressing the development of community-based treatment
options and financial assistance opportunities available to avoid out-of-state placements and making every effort to establish a
funding base that can adequately fund needed mental health
services; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to direct the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health
and Human Resources Accountability (LOCHHRA)to oversee the
implementation of the state mental health plan and to ensure that
the process is moving towards the development of a well developed
strategic plan for improved care of the mental health needs of the
citizens of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Health and Human
Resources report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health
and Human Resources Accountability (LOCHHRA) on September 1st, 2005
and December 31st, 2005 on the status and implementation of the
mental health plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2006, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
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