HD16 - Interim Report of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation on Core Services and Formula Funding

  • Published: 1983
  • Author: Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 77 (Regular Session, 1982)

Executive Summary:
The 1982 Session of the General Assembly enacted House Joint Resolution No. 77. The Resolution approved definitions of the five basic core services; it requested the Department to submit an interim report on the implementation of core services and the development of a funding formula by January 1, 1983; and it requested a final report on these subjects by October 1, 1983. The Legislature also appropriated an additional $11.02 million to support implementation of core services on a statewide basis during the 1982-1984 biennium.

The Commissioner appointed a task force in February, 1982 to obtain citizen input and to assist the Department in fulfilling the General Assembly's requests. The Task Force on Core Services, Formula Funding, and Facility Census Reduction included representatives from Community Services Boards, state facilities, advocacy and constituency groups including family members of institutionalized individuals, and the Department. The Commissioner charged the task force with:

• developing a mechanism to distribute the core services gap-filling funds,
• addressing continued census reductions in state institutions, and
• recommending a funding formula.

The ultimate goal of these efforts is to achieve a balanced service delivery system which:

• allocates resources appropriately to institutional and community programs;
• encourages the development and accessibility of basic core services in every community; and
• assures the equitable distribution of available resources among communities throughout the state.

The task force completed its work in October, 1982 and submitted recommendations to the Department.