NAMI’s Grading the States: A Tool for Transformation

1. NAMI’s Grading the States:A Tool for Transformation MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS Education Program, NAMI St. Mary’s County June 26, 2006 Author: Ron Honberg, J.D. Director for Policy and Legal Affairs, NAMI National Presenter: Connie Walker, M.S. Ed President, NAMI St Mary’s County

2. Grading the States • Report released on March 1, 2006 • Provides the first comprehensive survey of adult public mental health systems in every state and DC since 1990 • The full report is available online at www.nami.org/grades

3. Grading the States – Intentions • The report is intended to … -- provide advocates and policymakers with a specific action agenda -- be a baseline for future measurement -- promote dialogue among ALL stakeholders about what is and is not working in America’s MH system -- serve as a catalyst for improving services for adults with Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI)

4. Grading the States … the Grades • The National Average: D • No state received an A • Five states received Bs (CT, ME, OH, SC, WI) • Eight states received Fs (IO, ID, IL, KS, KY, MT, ND, SD) • Maryland received a C + “ Maryland is an underachiever. The state has a lot going for it, but can do better. There also are warning signs of a downward slide. ”

5. Grading the States – Methodology (1) • The report card is based on four sources 1. Responses from state mental health agencies 2. Public information 3. Interviews with consumers and families 4. The Consumer / Family Test Drive • Grades are based on 39 criteria

6. Grading the States – Methodology (2) • The Consumer / Family Test Drive -- Test of information accessibility across ten basic items (housing; how to get help; apply for Medicaid; information in a non-English language; etc.) -- Consumers and families went online and made phone calls to each state MH agency to see how easily this information could be obtained

7. Grading the States – Methodology (3) The Consumer / Family Test Drive (cont’d) • States failed this “pop quiz” • More than 40 states scored less than 50% of the total points available in the Test Drive • One state employee told a consumer “I will not help you.” • MD scored 8 out of 10 points on a curved basis (18 out of 40 points, without the curve)

8. Maryland Grades by Category • Infrastructure(workforce, data, cultural competence, etc): C • Information Access (test drive, consumer and family input and participation, etc): B • Services (EBPs, access to medications, interagency collaboration, Medicaid, etc): C+ • Recovery Supports (supported housing, employment, peer supports, family & consumer education, etc): C -

9. Maryland Innovations • Progress in implementing Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) • TSIG grant provides significant opportunities for progress • TAMAR and other collaboration between MH and criminal justice system • Centralized Admission and Referral Center

10. Maryland’s Urgent Needs • Restore and increase funding • Workforce development and strategic plan • Additional inpatient capacity and acute care beds • Affordable housing options

11. New Freedom Commission on Mental HealthSubcommittee on Rural Issues (June ‘04) • Defining Rural America • Review of Rural Behavioral Health Epidemiologic Evidence • Challenges in Caring for the Country -- Accessibility, Availability, Acceptability • Mental Health Practice -- Urban Assumptions and Rural Realities

12. Resources Grading the States www.nami.org www.nami.org/grades http://www.nami.org/gtstemplate.cfm?section=grading_the_states New Freedom Commission on Mental Health http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/reports.htm http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/papers/Rural.pdf http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/EBP_Final_040605.pdf NAMI St. Mary’s County …. Transitioning to NAMI Southern Maryland for Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s County