Action Plan for Mental Health Care and Substance Abuse Treatment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals in Colorado Mental Health and Substance Abuse Implementation Team Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Overview of the Presentation 1. Why a Strategic Action Plan? 2. Purpose of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force 3. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force Membership 4. The Research Process 5. The Stakeholder Engagement Process 6. Key Features of the Action Plan 7. About the Implementation Team 8. Plan for Implementation
What prompted the Strategic Action Plan? Suicide deaths of two young deaf Coloradans who were denied access to appropriate care Current public policy focus in Colorado to transform healthcare and behavioral healthcare First Lady Jeannie Ritter s focus on behavioral health Ongoing disparities in access to mental health care for deaf and hard of hearing residents Reductions in public funding resulting in fewer programs available for deaf and hard of hearing residents Increased awareness of needs and challenges from the deaf and hard of hearing community leaders Support from the Division of Behavioral Health
What is the purpose of the CCDHH Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force? To develop an action plan to increase access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment for deaf and hard of hearing residents To engage policy makers, stakeholders and community leaders in implementing the plan
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force Membership Task Force members include: Experts in deaf and hard of hearing needs, substance abuse and mental health services, and state policy Consultation team consisting of facilitator and policy analysts/researchers Stakeholders through engagement in survey, key informant interviews and opportunities to review the plan Task Force existed from Spring 2008 to Fall 2008
The Research Process Literature review drawn from: Other state plans and practices National resources and guides to best practice services White papers specifically on mental health and substance abuse services for deaf and hard of hearing Analysis made to identify: Priority issues to consider in the planning process Possible fiscal and other policies to explore Best practice models for service delivery
The Stakeholder Engagement Process Survey of: Mental health and substance abuse service providers Deaf and hard of hearing consumers Key informant interviews with: Experts on deaf and hard of hearing needs Policy experts at the statewide level Opportunity to review the plan: Input from providers, consumers and other interested stakeholders Prioritized consumer and family involvement, technical assistance, and a network of direct service providers
Key Features of the Action Plan Goal 1: Governance Structure Create capacity within the CCDHH to implement and evaluate systemic reforms Expand participation by deaf and hard of hearing individuals within the policymaking bodies
Key Features of the Action Plan Goal 2: Statewide Capacity Establish a Technical Assistance and Education Center Establish a Workforce Development Initiative Establish a Statewide Service Delivery Network Expand statewide capacity to meet behavioral health needs of children and youth through Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Increase access to appropriate inpatient services
Key Features of the Action Plan Goal 3: Consistency in the Availability and Quality of Services Statewide Develop and adopt Guidelines for Care Develop Standards for Services Expand monitoring and oversight of service delivery providers
Key Features of the Action Plan Goal 4: Consumer and Family Leadership Provide advocacy trainings for deaf and hard of hearing consumers, family members, and community leaders. Support the advocates in addressing treatment needs. Engage and support deaf and hard of hearing advocates in all aspects of the plan
About the Implementation Team As recommended by the Task Force, the CCDHH Mental Health and Substance Abuse Implementation Team was formed to oversee and support plan implementation from 2009 to 2012 The Team s immediate priorities are to: Explore the capacity needs for implementing the plan Obtain funding to support the plan activities Educate the stakeholders regarding the plan Develop Standards for Services and Guidelines for Care
Who is on the Implementation Team? Cliff Moers Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ric Durity Mental Health Center of Denver Ami Garry DOVE: Advocacy Services for Deaf Women and Children Rebecca Herr Colorado Hearing Loss Association of America Candice Tate Purple Monarch, a private practice Laura Douglas Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Pat Doyle The Legal Center for People with Disabilities and Older People Carmelita Muniz Colorado Association of Alcohol and Drug Services Providers Jagruti Shah Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing Angelia Lawson Division of Behavioral Health (Colorado Department of Human Services) Jennifer Peterson Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Plan for Implementation: Three Essential Areas of Focus for Support System Governance Structure TA and Education Center Quality Standards Service Delivery Network Early Outreach & Identification Consumer and Family Leadership
Plan for Implementation: Three Essential Legs of the Statewide System Technical Assistance and Education Center Statewide Service Delivery Network Early Outreach and Identification Service Delivery Network TA and Education Center Early Outreach & Identification
Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Department of Human Services 1575 Sherman Street, 2 nd Floor Denver, CO 80203 303-866-4734 (TTY) 720-457-3679 (VP) 303-866-4824 (Voice) 303-866-4831 (Fax) deaf.commission@state.co.us http://www.coloradodeafcommission.com/advocacy/mhsa.aspx