Mental Health Care

Ames Cluster

Status as of 6/27/2011

Purpose

•  To understand the complexities of the mental health care system in Iowa and to educate the community in this area.
•  To influence state and federal legislation in the area of mental health.

 Current Efforts:

• To remain informed and prepared for lobbying efforts with state legislators and the Board of Supervisors.

Successes:

• On October 26, 2010 we held a Community Conversation, co-sponsored by the Ames Mental Health Issue Team and Ames Public Library, on mental health services available in Ames. The speakers were representatives of various mental health agencies and providers in the Ames area
• .A Community Conversation on The Interface of Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System was held in the Auditorium of Ames Public Library on April 12 (during National Crime Victims Awareness Week), from 7:00-8:30. Speakers included representatives of law enforcement and members of families affected by mental illness and the criminal justice system. Panel members tackled the following questions among others: How does the present system work (or fail to work)? How does it impact families caught in the system? What services are available to keep a person with mental illness out of jail? Why is it to society's advantage to keep them out of jail? Co-coordinating with this Community Conversation, the Ames Public Library and ACCESS hosted a Weekend Art Exhibit, featuring art work created by victims of crime. 

 Des Moines Cluster - See Testimony below of Bob Glass given at 12/19/11 Public Hearing

Status as of 1/29/11

Purpose:  To address issues creating barriers to effective mental health and addiction services in central Iowa.  Our two main goals will focus on removing the stigma associated with mental illness and addiction and improving access to care for those who need it.

Current Efforts:  

• We are hosting Community Conversations with providers of Mental Health and Addiction services once every two months so that providers can develop an integrated system of care in Polk County.
• We will also be advocating for all disability services along with primary care to be located within the same area of state government  to assist in reducing the stigma of mental health by defining it as a health issue and a medical condition, and to provide services that are focused on treating the whole person. We hope to foster integration of mental health, physical health, substance abuse, and development disabilities, as co-occurring conditions are the expectation, not the exception.
• Advocating for changes in our current funding system and so that funding can be increased which should improve access to care.
• Providing incentives to develop and bring more mental health professionals to Iowa.

• December 2010 - We facilitated a Community Conversation with providers of mental and addiction services and Senator Jack Hatch previewed his legislative agenda with us.
• October 2010 - We made the public aware of mental health and addiction issues at our Fall Issue Assembly and made an agreement with State Senator Jack Hatch that we will work together to integrate mental health services into the Iowa Department of Public Health.
• October 2010 - We facilitated a Community Conversation with Dr. Minkoff and Dr. Cline, who are providing training to providers throughout the State of Iowa to provide Comprehensive Continuous Integrated Systems of Care.
• August 2010 - We hosted a Community Conversation with all interviewed central Iowa health leaders as well as members of state agencies and defined gaps, and barriers to services and the top three priorities to improve services.  We then developed our legislative agenda from the from the meeting.
• Summer 2010 - Individual meetings were held with central Iowa health leaders to listen to their perceptions of the gaps, barriers, and priorities in the mental health and addiction services system.
• Fall 2009 -  We assisted in facilitating over 300 house meetings with over 3000 participants in which mental health and addiction services were repeatedly identified as a community concern
• Summer 2009 - NAMI Greater Des Moines joined AMOS
• October 2008 - We held a Broadlawns Board of Trustees Accountability Event with the members running for the Broadlawns Board of Trustees.

Click on this link for the Mental Health Fact Sheet:  /sites/default/files/Mental%20Illnes%20Fact%20Sheet.doc 

Testimony Given By Bob Glass to Interim Study on Mental Health Care Reform on December 19, 2011:

To:  Mental Health and Disability Services Study Committee

LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS

Senator Jack Hatch, Co-chairperson         Representative Renee Schulte, Co-chairperson

Senator Joe Bolkcom                                Representative David E. Heaton

Senator Joni Ernst                                     Representative Lisa Heddens

Senator David Johnson                              Representative Linda J. Miller

Senator Amanda Ragan                            Representative Mark D. Smith

Senator Pat Ward                                                 Representative Mary Wolfe

From:  AMOS Mental Health and Addictions Issue Team, Testimony by Bob Glass, 1^st Unitarian

Date:  Dec. 19, 2011

Subject:  Mental Health and Disability Services Redesign

We in the AMOS Mental Health and Addictions Issue Teamwant the Interim Study Committee to know that we strongly support the recommendations of the Iowa Mental Health Planning Council as approved November 16, 2011. 

We wish to stress that adequate funding, the integration of primary care, mental health and addiction services, and an immediate focus on workforce issues and treatment beds are essential to the redesign. 

We urge that the committee not overlook the importance of the items listed under “Missing Pieces….”

Additionally, we wish to compliment the efforts of the workgroups and we support their recommendations and the priorities they established for the redesign.  We are encouraged by the widespread recognition of the issues and the steps needed to correct the deficiencies. 

As you also have recognized, redesign of the mental health system in Iowa is long overdue and we depend on you to make serious strides toward giving this state a system worthy of the pride we take in our government.  We recognize that the task is not easy, nor will it be achieved overnight. 

We also hope you take comfort knowing that you have the support of stakeholders in the system, from consumers and family members to providers.    We believe that everyone in our state is touched in some way by the health issues that have been the focus of the workgroups and the prospective legislation.

Our member organizations place paramount importance on equity and compassion in our systems of care and we look to you to create legislation that will reflect the values that we all share.  

Again, we want you to know that you have our support in this monumental task.