HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 48
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Brown, Fleischauer, Foster,
Frederick, Hrutkay, Iaquinta, Mahan, Susman, Webster, Yost,
Carmichael, Hall, Schadler, Sobonya, Sumner and Wakim)
(Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources)
[February 20, 2003]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct
a study on the condition of the mental health plan in West
Virginia in regards to the organization and availability of
services offered, and the types of services needed.
W
HEREAS
, The Mental Health Plan, the State Health Plan, the
(Behavioral) Health Criteria for Performance Excellence, Healthy
People 2010, as well as other goal-setting recommendation plans,
each contains some discussion of the topic of mental health, the
degree of which depends on the particular document; and
W
HEREAS
, According to the Department of Health and Human
Resources, over four hundred juveniles are in out-of-state care
facilities at any given time, for a total cost of more than $22
million per year in out-of-state expenditures, due to a lack of
adequate care systems within the state; and
W
HEREAS
, In over one hundred of the afore-mentioned instances,
parents must sign custody of their children over to the state in
order for the child to qualify for funding to cover the cost of
treatment; and
W
HEREAS
, The appropriate treatment of juveniles with serious
emotional disturbances
and their families requires a collaborative
state effort from multiple agencies, including but not limited to:
the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, the
Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities, the Bureau of
Children and Families, the Department of Education, and the
Division of Juvenile Services; and
W
HEREAS
, Community-based mental health care creates an
environment of stability for those afflicted with mental health
problems who receive family-based treatment in their communities of
residence; and
W
HEREAS,
Federal Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services
grants are available to develop comprehensive, community-based
systems of care for youth with serious emotional disturbances and
their families, but may only be applied to in-state treatment; and
W
HEREAS
, The Legislature should explore the possibilities of
developing a comprehensive multi-agency mental health plan in the
State of West Virginia, identify the core services needed in West
Virginia communities to provide adequate care to its residents, and
address the development of community-based treatment options and
financial assistance opportunities available to avoid out-of-state
placements; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the condition of the mental health plan of the
State of West Virginia in regards to the organization and
availability of services offered, and the types of services needed;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2004, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.