Topic:
APPOINTMENT TO OFFICE; EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE NOMS. COMMITTEE; EXECUTIVE AGENCIES; MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT; STATE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES;
Location:
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE;

OLR Research Report


January 23, 2007

  

2007-R-0127

QUESTIONS FOR DMHAS COMMISSIONER NOMINEE

By: Saul Spigel, Chief Analyst

Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services (CGS § 17a-451)

The commissioner establishes and enforces standards for the treatment of people with psychiatric disabilities, substance abuse disabilities, or both in public and private facilities; may investigate the serious injury or unexpected death of anyone who received treatment within one year of the occurrence; and is responsible for developing and implementing state mental health and substance abuse plans.

Questions

1. A new state mental health plan released in September 2006 states that its recommendations “will fundamentally change how mental health services and supports are delivered in Connecticut. ” Please explain the nature of this transformation.

2. How does DMHAS work with the Department of Children and Families to assure that children with mental health problems will receive the services they need when they turn age 21? Are these efforts sufficient? Can the legislature do anything to make the process better?

3. Drinking among teenagers is a significant problem in some communities. How does DMHAS work with parents and community institutions to address this problem?

4. Do DMHAS or its private providers have any problems in finding sites for group homes? How does DMHAS work with communities in the siting process? Can the legislature do anything to make siting easier?

5. Some advocates for people with mental illness believe placing people in prison has become a backdoor way of re-institutionalizing this population. How do you respond to this assertion? Are we incarcerating people who might be better served in other settings? Are we providing prisoners with adequate mental health services; are we preparing them for release?

6. With some prodding from advocates and the legislature, DMHAS and DSS have begun to place some community mental health services under the Medicaid rehabilitation option program. How has this initiative worked so far for consumers and providers? Do you anticipate adding any more services to the rehab option?

7. What measures does DMHAS use to gauge its success or determine in what areas it most needs improvement?

8. How to you plan to work with policymakers to assure that mental health is included in any health care reform initiatives?

SS: ts