NYS/NYC Mental Health-Criminal Justice Panel Report

Another change has come into effect and much thanx's to all who supported and assisted in bringing about these much needed change.
Carlos Sabater
Rights for Imprisoned People with Psychiatric Disabilities

FYI – The full report is at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/justice_panel_report/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 12, 2008

GOVERNOR PATERSON AND MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Recommendations from State/City Panel Will Improve the Quality and Consistency of Care for Those with the Most Serious Mental
Illnesses and Reduce the Risk of Violence to Themselves or Others

Governor Announces Legislation to Authorize Intensive Case Reviews, as Recommended by the Panel

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Governor David A. Paterson and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced plans to implement a comprehensive set of recommendations from the joint New York State (NYS)/New York City (NYC) Mental Health-Criminal Justice Panel that will improve the quality and consistency of care of individuals with serious mental illnesses. Through examination of cases of violent incidents involving individuals with serious mental illnesses, assessment of the current mental health and justice systems and consultation with national experts in mental health and violence, the Panel indentified many opportunities to improve mental health service delivery and public safety.

The Panel identified four areas where improvements were needed, and recommended specific measures to address these challenges. These challenges include: (1) poor coordination, fragmented oversight and lack of accountability in the mental health system; (2) inconsistencies in quality of care within the mental health treatment system; (3) limited capacity to share information within and between the mental health and criminal and juvenile justice systems; and (4) insufficient training, supports and tools to identify and engage individuals with mental illnesses in the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

"This collaborative effort by officials from State and City mental health and criminal justice agencies has resulted in recommendations for real reforms that will help to improve mental health services and enhance public safety," said Governor Paterson. "Taking a hard look at what may have gone wrong in particular cases is a necessary first step toward improving the care and treatment of those with serious mental illnesses – both in the mental health care system and when those persons become involved with the criminal justice system – and the State is prepared to move forward in implementing the Panel's recommendations."

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: "We took a hard look at the facts and made common sense recommendations that will both improve the quality of care for people with the most serious mental illnesses and also improve public safety. While you can't predict every violent incident by implementing these recommendations we strengthen our system and offer a coordinated response to those who need it most."

NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) Commissioner Michael F. Hogan said: "For many years, violent acts by people with mental illness have been headline news in New York. After careful study, we find that several aspects of the issue are clearer. First, considering the fact that mental illness touches every extended family, these incidents are surprisingly infrequent. Second, in cases we considered, uncoordinated care in a fragmented system was a factor in tragic outcomes. Our mission – and we have accepted it – is to improve care to improve safety. There are no quick fixes or easy solutions, but we will not accept failure."

Linda Gibbs, NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services said: "Our work on the Panel brought together representatives from city and state agencies which, historically, were not at the same table looking at this complicated issue through the same lens. The recommendations are both ambitious and practical and will increase our ability to anticipate problems before they escalate."

NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Commissioner Denise E. O'Donnell said: "The recommendations contained in this report would dramatically improve collaboration between the mental health and criminal justice agencies as they respond to the needs of persons suffering from mental illness. All too often, the criminal justice system is unaware of what transpired in the mental health system, and vice versa. But our goal is the same--to prevent unnecessary acts of violence in our communities by improving the treatment of, and law enforcement response to, persons with serious mental illness."

Highlights of the recommendations described below will transform the way the State and City's mental health, criminal justice and juvenile justice systems work with individuals with the most serious mental illnesses.

Improvements to the Adult Mental Health Treatment System

In NYC, special "Care Monitoring Teams" that will oversee both mental health services offered to high-needs individuals and the providers that offer high-intensity programs will improve both treatment and services. A database will allow the "Care Monitoring Teams" to monitor the care provided to high-need adults with the most serious mental illnesses, giving staff the ability to take action if there is an interruption in service or an escalating need for care. The recommendations of the OMH/NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services will be implemented, improving access to care for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Legislation will be proposed authorizing OMH to conduct intensive case reviews of critical incidents involving individuals with mental illnesses, with relevant state and city officials participating, for the purpose of reducing care errors and improving public safety. Standards of care for mental health clinics serving adults will be issued and enforced, which will improve treatment and require regular risk assessment for violence to self or others.

Improvements to the Adult Criminal Justice System

A pilot program for sharing information between the criminal justice and mental health treatment systems will identify people with serious mental illnesses who have become involved with the justice system. A NYC alternative-to-detention pilot program will provide assessment, case management, supervision and community-based treatment to defendants with mental illnesses who might otherwise be detained while their cases are moving through the courts and who do not pose a high risk of recidivism or flight. A dedicated mental health unit at the NYC Department of Probation will establish relationships between probation officers and probationers' mental health providers and assist probationers in receiving appropriate services. Training for 911 call takers and dispatchers will be improved to better elicit information about whether an incident involves a person with a mental illness.

Improvements to the Juvenile Justice System

Clinical interventions for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED) in the custody of NYC Department of Juvenile Justice or NYS Office of Children and Family Services will be enhanced to ensure that adolescents in State or City custody have appropriate supports, including improved discharge planning, and that crucial mental health information follows the youth throughout transitions. Family Care Coordinators will help families navigate the juvenile justice, mental health and other service systems; facilitate information sharing among providers and families; and arrange for family case conferences that assist youth and their families in getting care and support, especially during transitions. Coordinators would use their own experiences negotiating the mental health system and other systems to empower families to advocate for their own needs."

New Legislation Proposed

The Governor is proposing legislation to implement one of the Panel's recommendations. The Governor's Program Bill allows the Commissioner of OMH to convene quality assurance review panels that include relevant state and local officials to examine incidents occurring in the community in which persons with serious mental illnesses are harmed, cause harm to others, or become involved in violent criminal incidents. This will lead to both improved quality of care and enhanced protection for the public.

The NYS/NYC Mental Health-Criminal Justice Panel was convened by NYS Deputy Secretary for Health and Human Services Dennis Whalen and NYC Deputy Mayor Gibbs. It was co-chaired by OMH Commissioner Hogan, Deputy Mayor Gibbs, DCJS Commissioner O'Donnell, and NYC Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt. Members of the Panel included top State and City officials in mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice and adolescent services.

The Panel's full report, including the entire list of recommendations, is available at www.omh.state.ny.us, www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us, and www.nyc.gov.

http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/News/