Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Contact: Brian Hauswirth, 573-751-0290
Blunt Takes Action to Protect Mental Health Clients from Abuse & Neglect
JEFFERSON CITY–Governor Matt Blunt is taking action to protect mental health clients in Missouri’s public and private mental health facilities. Blunt today issued an executive order to protect client safety and improve the delivery of mental health services.
“Every instance of abuse or neglect in Missouri’s mental health system must be reported and investigated and those who commit these heinous acts must be held accountable,” Blunt said. “I thank Lieutenant Governor Kinder and the Mental Health Task Force for their good work to develop recommendations to improve the safety and delivery of mental health services in Missouri.”
Blunt’s executive order states that the Department of Mental Health (DMH) will continue to inform the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement officials of any deaths or assaults occurring in a facility that is operated, licensed or certified by DMH. The order further states that DMH must report all deaths in a facility to the local coroner or medical examiner.
Executive Order 06-49 calls on DMH to implement an information management system that can quickly and effectively track critical information on abuse, neglect and other information related to the safety of Missourians in public mental health facilities and in the care of private community providers.
DMH and community providers will now be required to develop individualized training for families on identifying and reporting suspected cases of abuse or neglect. The governor directed DMH to work with the Departments of Health and Senior Services and Social Services to better utilize the adult abuse hotline and the child abuse hotline to ensure that all cases of abuse or neglect are reported.
Blunt directed DMH to develop strict guidelines to prioritize cases of abuse and neglect so that through notification and cooperation with local law enforcement officials all incidents of physical assault, sexual misconduct and unexpected deaths will be jointly investigated.
The governor’s order also calls for DMH to submit an annual report beginning June 2007 that details ongoing progress and the department’s plans for additional action.
The executive order follows recommendations from the Mental Health Task Force formed by Blunt in June 2006 to propose long term solutions to prevent abuse and neglect in the mental health system. Blunt is considering other recommendations made in the report.
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