MISSION STATEMENT
The Association will provide support and assistance to the county MH/ID Administrators and their staff in their roles as the responsible planners, program and fiscal managers, and monitors of services and supports to consumers and their families in their communities.
ABOUT PACA MH/DS
The Pennsylvania Association of County Administrators of Mental Health and Developmental Services represents county mental health and mental retardation program administrators from all of Pennsylvania’s counties. The association also has two classes of associate members, representing supports coordination organizations and HealthChoices behavioral health entities. Only county administrators or their designees are voting member of the association. PACA MH/DS is an affiliate of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
The Association has four active standing committees that are chaired by county administrators: the Mental Health Committee, the Mental Retardation Committee, the HealthChoices Committee and the Supports Coordination Organization committee. The Board also meets monthly with deputies from the Department of Public Welfare - the Office of Developmental Programs and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The Association also monitors and is involved in advocacy on behalf of counties related to early intervention programs which have historically fallen under the scope of MR programs.
The Members of the association are also divided into four regions for purposes of electing representation to the Board. Most of the regions meet once per month, and include interaction with DPW regional office staff.
ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP FOR 2011-2012:
- Don Clark, Allegheny County, President;
- Sheila Theodorou, Carbon/Monroe/Pike, Vice-President;
- Deborah Duffy, Lycoming/Clinton, Secretary/Treasurer.
- Dan McGrory, Schuylkill County, Immediate Past President
CURRENT POLICY PRIORITIES
The Association participates in many DPW committees, and also regularly comments on regulations and bulletins promulgated by the Department that impact county roles in the provision of services or the quality of services provided to consumers. The following issues comprise the proactive agenda that PACA MH/DS will be advancing in 2011:
- Office of Developmental Programs and the MR System: Examining and making recommendations to improve management of the MR system and strengthen the role of counties and local decision-making in service provision during the next waiver renewal with CMS.
- Behavioral Health Services through HealthChoices: Preserve and continue the HealthChoices program with county right of first opportunity and the carveout to invest in programs the meet local needs.
- Community Mental Health Services: Continue a unified approach to community mental health services with county oversight of all funding.
- Supports Coordination Organizations: Update funding mechanisms and regulatory standards for SCOs, stop eroding base funding which serves non-waiver consumers, and increase capacity to protect health and safety of individuals at the local level.
- Early Intervention: continue community-based early intervention services for birth to age three as a local county program.
COUNTY REQUIREMENTS FOR MH/MR PROGRAMS
The 1966 Act requires counties acting either individually or through joinders (joint programs by more than one county) to establish Mental Health and Mental Retardation Boards and appoint County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Administrators. Counties are required to establish mental health and mental retardation programs to provide "diagnosis, care, treatment, rehabilitation and detention of the mentally disabled" through nine mandatory services:
1. Short term inpatient services other than those provided by DPW;
2. Outpatient services;
3. Partial hospitalization services;
4. Emergency services;
5. Consultation and education services to professional personnel;
6. Aftercare services for persons released from inpatient facilities;
7. Specialized rehabilitative and training services, including sheltered workshops;
8. Interim care of individuals with mental retardation awaiting admission to state mental retardation centers; and
9. Unified intake, placement and referral services.
The county programs may also provide training research and other services. All services may be provided directly by the county or through contractual arrangements with other agencies. Community services have grown dramatically with the decrease of state hospital and state center populations and continued diversion of individuals from being admitted to state facilities. Consequently, the scope of community services has also become diverse.
MH/DS PROGRAM ENTITLEMENTS
· Early Intervention for Infants, Toddlers & Families – Birth to Three
· Pennsylvania’s Consolidated Wavier for Home Community Based Services to Individuals with
Mental Retardation
· Pennsylvania’s Person/Family Directed Supports Waiver to Individuals with Mental Retardation
· Pennsylvania’s Behavioral Health Managed Care under HealthChoices
COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE MH/MR SYSTEM
· Implement State Policy
· Analyze, Evaluate & Meet Local Needs
· Manage Community Systems
· Administer State Waivers (entitlements)
· Assure Availability of Services
· Coordinate Resources and Services
· Monitor Services & Supports
· Audit Service Providers
· Fund Services & Supports
· Contract and/or Provide Services
· Evaluate Services & Facilities
· Liaison with Public & Private Agencies
· Compliance Reporting
· Implement Quality Management
· Promote Best Practices
Funding
Funding for community mental health and mental retardation programs is provided from a variety of federal, state, local and private sources. The primary sources of funding include Commonwealth grants made pursuant to the 1966 Act, grants made by the Commonwealth from funds provided by the Federal Drug Abuse, Alcoholism and Mental Health Block Grant, Social Services Block Grant, Medical Assistance and Medicaid, county appropriations, private insurance reimbursement and client contributions to the cost of services.
Neither the state nor a county is required to spend public funds under the 1966 Act until a mentally disabled person has exhausted benefits under all other existing private, public, local, state or federal programs. In addition, the 1966 Act requires service providers and counties to collect the costs of care and services provided from persons with mental disability and from persons owing a duty of support to these individuals to extent they are financially able to pay for services. The Department of Public Welfare has adopted regulations defining client liabilities for mental health and mental retardation services and has set forth billing and collection procedures.
Eligibility
Eligibility is determined according to standards set forth by the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Income Maintenance. Information for regarding an individual application is available at http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/omap/recinf/omapapply.asp. Medical Assistance for children with severe disability regardless of parent’s income is an entitle in Pennsylvania. An adult who receives Social Security Income for a disability or blindness that occurred prior to age 22 may have the right to Assistance benefits depending on income and resources. An application for Medical Assistance can be obtained from your local County Assistance Office. Your local County Assistance Office information can be obtained at the following web site: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/general/dpwcao.asp.