RD382 - Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services FY 2010 Annual Report


Executive Summary:
The 2010 Session of the General Assembly enacted a requirement for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (Department) to submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. Item 304.N of the 2010 Appropriation Act states:

"The Department shall submit a report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees no later than December 1 of each year for the preceding fiscal year that provides information on the operation of Virginia's publicly-funded behavioral health and developmental services system. The report shall include a brief narrative and data on the numbers of individuals receiving state facility services or CSB services, including purchased inpatient psychiatric services, the types and amounts of services received by these individuals, and CSB and state facility service capacities, staffing, revenues, and expenditures. The annual report also shall describe major new initiatives implemented during the past year and shall provide information on the accomplishment of systemic outcome and performance measures during the year. The first annual report shall be submitted no later than December 1, 2010 for fiscal year 2010."

The Department is pleased to submit this first annual report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees in response to the Appropriation Act provision. The first section in the report briefly describes Virginia’s public behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse) and developmental services system. Following sections present data about the numbers of individuals who received services from that system in FY 2010, the types and amounts of services they received, and the service capacities, staffing, and funding and expenditures of the services system. The final sections of the report describe Department initiatives and accomplishments, provide updates on major projects, and present some systemic performance and outcome measures achieved in FY 2010.

In the current difficult budget crisis, all agencies of state government continue to look for ways to maintain core services with fewer resources. The Department remains committed to moving the system forward in a positive way, even within the austere fiscal environment. The strategic initiatives and major Department activities to be addressed over the next three and a half years are intended to:

• Continue progress in advancing the Department vision of a system of behavioral health and developmental services and supports that promotes self-determination, empowerment, recovery, resilience, health, and the highest possible level of participation by individuals receiving services in all aspects of community life;

• Support the Governor's expressed intentions to achieve a Commonwealth of Opportunity for all Virginians, including those receiving behavioral health or developmental services; and

• Assure that the services system is efficient and well-managed and that its core functions are performed in a manner that is effective and responsive to the needs of individuals receiving services and their families.

Successful implementation of the planned initiatives and major activities will continue progress toward achieving a community-focused system of behavioral health and developmental services and supports that increases opportunities for and enriches the lives of individuals receiving services.