HD21 - A Plan for those Mentally Retarded Persons Presently Residing in Mental Health Facilities in Virginia

  • Published: 1983
  • Author: Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 76 (Regular Session, 1982)

Executive Summary:
House Joint Resolution 76 charged the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation with 1) "develop(ing) a target date by which time all individuals with a primary disability of mental retardation will be cared for in either a state training center for the mentally retarded or in a community program," and 2) "develop(ing) a procedure whereby mentally retarded persons in crisis situations may be admitted to and treated in a state hospital for the mentally ill until a physician determines that the period of crisis has passed." This report sets forth procedures by the Department to meet that charge. This report provides the following:

1. A description and definition of the population(s) of mental retardation in state hospitals;

2. A description of the process whereby the severe and profoundly retarded can be placed in state training centers, along with timeframes for this placement;

3. A description of the process whereby the mildly and moderately retarded can be discharged into the community, along with timeframes for this discharge to be completed;

4. A description of how neurologically impaired individuals, who are also mild to moderately retarded and who show maladaptive behavior patterns, can be served in state facilities.