Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Expands Efforts to Improve Services for Mental Health Patients
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt signed an executive order expanding the membership of the Mental Health Transformation Working Group in an effort to capture a greater perspective in the group's work to improve mental health services.
"We must do everything within our power to ensure the safety and quality of care for individuals receiving mental health services," Blunt said. "The Mental Health Transformation Working Group's work will further enhance our efforts to better serve mental health clients in our state."
The governor established the Mental Health Transformation Working Group last year to improve the delivery of mental health services. The group is charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive and cooperative state mental health plan to ensure that when families entrust their loved one to the care of the mental health system, they can be confident the state provides a safe and nurturing environment. Their work is funded through a federal grant.
Today's executive order increases the membership of the group from 18 to 24 members. The six new members include:
- Two Department of Social Services representatives
- One representative of the Department of Health and Senior Services
- One representative of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- The Director of the Office of Comprehensive Child Mental Health serving in a position either within the organizational structure of the Department of Mental Health or under contract with the Department of Mental Health
- One public member who is a consumer and/or a family member of an individual receiving service from the Department of Mental Health.
Blunt has worked to improve Missouri's mental health delivery system. Earlier this month the governor and the Department of Mental Health unveiled a new community partnership plan to improve safety and care for residents at Bellefontaine Habilitation Center. Last summer the governor created the Mental Health Task Force to identify recommendations for enhancing state mental health services and safety. The intra-agency, collaborative effort created a new level of protection and oversight and draws on outside state agencies to play a specifically defined role in the investigation process. Many of the task force recommendations have been implemented by executive order or through administrative improvements.