SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19
(By Senators Prezioso, Unger and Rowe)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
condition of the Mental Health Plan in West Virginia in regard
to the organization and availability of services offered and
the types of services needed.
Whereas, The Mental Health Plan, the State Health Plan, the
(Behavioral) Health Criteria for Performance Excellence and Healthy
People 2010, as well as other goal-setting recommendation plans,
contain some discussion on the topic of mental health, the degree
of which depends on the particular document; and
Whereas, The Mental Health Plan is under the review of the
Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, which process
is monitored by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and
Human Resources Accountability; and
Whereas, According to the Department of Health and Human
Resources, over 400 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
Whereas, In over 100 of the aforementioned 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
Whereas, 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 Department of Health and Human Resources, the Bureau for
Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, the Bureau for Children
and Families, the Department of Education and the Division of
Juvenile Services; and
Whereas, 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
Whereas, 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
Whereas, The Legislature should explore the possibilities of
developing a comprehensive multiagency mental health plan in the
State of West Virginia, identify the core services needed in West
Virginia communities to provide adequate care to its residents and
address the development of community-based treatment options and
financial assistance opportunities available to avoid out-of-state
placements; and
Whereas,
The Legislature has studied this topic during the
2003-2004 interim session and has recommended that this subject
receive further study during the 2004-2005 interim session;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the condition of the Mental Health Plan in West
Virginia in regard to the organization and availability of services
offered and the types of services needed; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, 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.
Email
Webmaster | © 2024 West Virginia Legislature **
