RD457 - Report on the Implementation of New Mental Health Services and Monitoring of Civil Commitment Process Changes (Item 316.LL) - December 29, 2009


Executive Summary:
Item 316.LL the 2009 Appropriation Act requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (Department), in cooperation with the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB) and with input from the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees, to develop and maintain a reporting process to monitor the implementation of (i) the new services funded in this item and (ii) changes to the civil commitment process included in Senate Bill 246, House Bill 499, House Bill 599 and House Bill 560 from the 2008 session of the General Assembly. Item 316.LL also requires the Department and VACSB to identify specific data elements or performance measures that will be reported through this process. Item 316.LL further requires the Commissioner to report on implementation of these new services no later than December 1, 2008 and each year thereafter, and to submit a report describing the reporting process to measure CSB performance on participation in the civil commitment process no later than December 1, 2008 and a report on that performance beginning no later than December 1, 2009 and each year thereafter.

Item 316.LL requires the Commissioner to submit two reports, one on implementation of the new services funded in item 316, and a second describing CSB performance on participation in the civil commitment process. This report responds to both of these requirements.

The Commissioner made presentations on the implementation of Mental Health Law Reform services funded by item 316 to the House Appropriations Committee in September 2008 and the Senate Finance Committee in October 2008. The presentations described the Department’s process for allocating these funds to community services boards and the behavioral health authority, hereinafter referred to as CSBs, and for approving proposals submitted by CSBs. These presentations also discussed the funds appropriated for additional mental health services for children and adolescents and jail diversion services.