Vermont
Council
of
Developmental and Mental Health Services
137 Elm Street,
Montpelier, Vermont - 05602
Tel: 802.223.1773 Fax: 802.223.5523
Vermont Council of Developmental and Mental Health Services
Legislative Agenda for 2008
Top Priority Issues
· Promote the financial sustainability of our designated agency system:
1. promote the PHPG Sustainability Study
2. promote sustaining community services to support the Futures initiative
3. educate on increasing demands for developmental disability services
4. educate on the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff
5. present data on the challenges of meeting growing infrastructure costs
6. work to promote reimbursement rates that reflect true costs
7. support the option for designated agency employees to enroll in the state employee health plan (H.493, S.221)
8. explore options for Designated Agency employees to enroll in Catamount health
· Implement the Vermont State Hospital Futures Plan
1. strengthen community capacity
2. develop statewide system of care management
3. participate in the involuntary medication discussions from a values-based perspective, balancing consumer rights and safety
· Stabilize Children’s Services
1. articulate “Children’s Initiative” (similar to the Futures initiative) with more resources focused on community-based services, particularly crises services and less on inpatient care
2. advocate against CMS rule changes for rehabilitative services
3. review and respond to administrative and legislative studies on: transition age youth, success beyond six school-based programs, special education, autism
4. support improved integration of the Department of Mental Health’s Child, Adolescent and Family Unit and the Department of Education
5. develop means to blend multiple funding streams
6. enable non-categorical services and funding
7. Promote positive behavioral interventions in schools
· Support improved mental health care for individuals in the custody of the Department of Corrections and for inmates returning to the community
· Monitor and respond to public and legislative concerns about public safety in relation to services for offenders
Mid Level Priority Issues
· Monitor equity issues for Adult Foster Care in relation to the Homestead Property Tax reform
· Advocate for resources to sustain access to psychiatry, to create options for telemedicine and to have adequate access to adult outpatient services
· Support mental health parity, address the impact of managed care (S114) and low reimbursement rates
· Review and respond to guardianship legislative proposal
· Increase Emergency Services Capacity
1. the care management team should assume administrative functions
2. locate triage and assessment beds in each hospital
3. add emergency beds throughout the state per the Futures Plan
· Promote integration of mental health and primary health through chronic care and blueprint initiatives
· Participate in discussion of Substance Abuse and treatment system and support the proposal for an ODAP Strategic Planning process and a Standing Committee
· Review and respond to Public Inebriate report
Other Issues
· Educate Legislators on the role of designated agencies in their communities
· Reduce pressure on mental health inpatient and crisis services by increasing access to low-income housing
· Develop opportunities to integrate the mental health system into the Blueprint for Health and the Chronic Care initiatives at the Office of Vermont Health Access
· Support the Department of Health’s public health and education efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues, prevent stigma, promote treatment, etc.
· Educate on the need for adequate resources for the mental health eldercare program and work to change federal Medicare clinical degree requirements
· Review and respond to proposal by Senator Flanagan to enhance TBI services
· Review and respond to direct care workforce registry legislation