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The Adult Mental Health Division works to ensure that programs and services are available throughout Minnesota. People may need assistance in a variety of areas, such as employment, housing, social connections, family relations and other co-occurring conditions. With the exception of the regional treatment centers (State Operated Services) and some state staff working with special county initiatives the state does not provide direct services. However, the division does provide state and federal funding for mental health treatment. In Minnesota, the county is responsible for providing publicly funded mental health services with federal, state and county funding. In many parts of the state, counties contract with providers to deliver mental health services. A summary of the public mental health system in Minnesota is provided in the report: The Publicly-funded Adult Mental Health System.
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| This legislation was passed by the 2007 Legislature and signed by the governor. The initiative was based on the recommendations of the Minnesota Mental Health Action Group, builds on legislation passed in 2006 and includes $34 million in new investments over the coming biennium to continue improving the accessibility, quality and accountability of publicly funded mental health services. The 2007 legislation reintroduced several components of the 2006 legislation and includes new improvements based on recommendations from consumers, advocates, family members, counties and providers since the last legislative session. For more information about the 2007 legislation, click on the following links: |
| The Adult Mental Health Division and Children’s Mental Health Division joint application for the federal government Community Mental Health Services Federal Block Grant (FBG) (PL 102-321) was approved for federal fiscal years 2008-2010. The grant application describes the public mental health system in Minnesota; identifies goal targets and action plans; and describes the proposed use of the FBG. The application is updated on an annual basis. As part of the application, states must submit an annual “Implementation Report” which reports on the previous year’s utilization of the grant funds, progress toward the goal targets, and data required for the federal Universal Reporting System Basic and Developmental Tables. Public input is sought in the development and updating of the application, and on an ongoing basis. The 2008 application, as well as the 2007 Implementation Report, are available online. Please provide input in writing to Richard Seurer at Adult Mental Health Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 64981, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0981; or e-mail to Richard.Seurer@state.mn.us. |
| The Minnesota Department of Human Services is seeking members for a statewide consumer-directed advisory task force. The 2007 Minnesota Legislature approved expansion of consumer-directed options under Medicaid using the federal 1915(j) self-directed option. Included in this legislation is development of the task force to advise the commissioner on policy, implementation and other aspects of consumer and self-directed services. |
| In September 2006 DHS Adult Mental Health Division placed a moratorium on the submission of the Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) certification process and application. The division has issued an announcement that it will accept ARMHS certification applications starting July 1, 2007. |
| The State of Minnesota has received a $3.35 million grant from the federal government to enhance services for those with co-occurring mental illness and chemical dependency. The grant is spread over five years and was made by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. See the co-occurring disorders Web pages for more information. |
| Currently, numerous federal, state and local government entities oversee mental health programs, policy, funding and the diverse network of public and private providers. More efficient organization and coordination could help these providers to ensure effective treatment is received by those in need. To address this issue, President Bush established the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. The commission is composed of 15 members, appointed by the President, and seven ex-officio members from executive branch agencies. The commission will identify the needs of children with serious emotional disturbance and adults with serious mental illness. |
| The commission issued a Final Report: Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America. Click here to view the report online. There are also summary reports from the subcommittees of the Commission on Mental Health. Click here to link to the listing of the available subcommittee reports. |
| About 50 percent of persons who have a serious mental illness also have a substance use problem. Research has found that integrating mental health and chemical dependency treatment is more effective than parallel services or completing treatment in one area (i.e. mental health) and then receiving treatment in the other area (i.e. chemical dependency). Report to Congress on co-occurring disorders is available online. This link takes you to the table of contents for the report. The report is about 150 pages long. |
| The Adult Mental Health and Chemical Health Divisions are working on ways to integrate services at the local level and funding projects to plan for, design and evaluate these new services. Six hundred individuals attended an all-day training session on integrated dual-diagnosis treatment. This expert also provided more hands-on, intensive consultation to two counties that receive funds from the Mental Health Division to effect systems changed and to implement an integrated model of service delivery. |
| Similar to several other states, Minnesota has experienced a significant problem with access to inpatient psychiatric beds. Access is a problem that affects all age groups but, is especially problematic for children and adolescents due in part to a shortage of inpatient capacity. The Adult Mental Health Division is working with a number of external public and private partners to reduce use of emergency rooms and lengths of hospital stays by developing more effective community-based alternatives. |
| Sufficient research and evaluation of community mental health services delivery shows the system must move to embrace the practices shown to be effective in: improving consumer quality of life outcomes; reducing use of more costly, more restrictive services; and satisfying consumers. Examples of proven methods are: |
| • Assertive community treatment |
| • Integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment |
| • Family psycho-education |
| • Illness self-management and recovery |
The Adult Mental Health Division conducts monthly core training sessions to community-based providers in each of these areas. The focus of extensive training, on-site consultation and technical assistance to regions and providers will begin with implementation of Assertive Community Treatment and Illness Management and Recovery.
Public-private partnerships |
Often individuals with mental illness can receive services by both public and private providers. To improve coordination of services, the Adult Mental Health Division is working with health plans, counties, and community hospitals and providers to reduce fragmentation and to expand the range of available services. Several projects are being planned to pilot this new partnership. A major effort is the Minnesota Mental Health Action Group (MMHAG).
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| For more information about the Adult Mental Health Division, call (651) 431-2225. |
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