As States Slash Budgets, Mentally Ill Juvenile Offenders Find Care in County Jails, State Prisons

(Chicago, IL) — August 10, 2009 – The New York Times‘ Solomon Moore reports that degraded funding for community mental health care has converted inadequate county jails and state prisons in treatment centers for youth struggling with mental health illness:

As cash-starved states slash mental health programs in communities and schools, they are increasingly relying on the juvenile corrections system to handle a generation of young offenders with psychiatric disorders.

About two-thirds of the nation’s juvenile inmates — who numbered 92,854 in 2006, down from 107,000 in 1999 — have at least one mental illness, according to surveys of youth prisons, and are more in need of therapy than punishment.

“We’re seeing more and more mentally ill kids who couldn’t find community programs that were intensive enough to treat them,” said Joseph Penn, a child psychiatrist at the Texas Youth Commission. “Jails and juvenile justice facilities are the new asylums.”

At least 32 states cut their community mental health programs by an average of 5 percent this year and plan to double those budget reductions by 2010, according to a recent survey of state mental health offices.

Juvenile prisons have … read more

Illinois Doomsday Budget: Governor Quinn Needs to End Illinois Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment Cuts – Now

MEMORANDUM

Date:     6/29/09
From     Frank Anselmo, CEO, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association
To:         Jerome Stermer, Chief of Staff, Governor Pat Quinn

Oblivious to the lives at risk, Illinois Department Human Services (DHS) staff are pressuring community mental health providers, repeatedly reminding them to sign the draconian cut contracts they received Monday and Tuesday and return those contracts to DHS before 5:00 pm on June 30, 2009

As service providers remind the state employees that they have until Tuesday to get the Illinois doomsday budget contracts in and–that lives are at stake–the DHS staff keep up the pressure up by saying “we [DHS] hope we’d get them back early”.

This has to stop.

Last Thursday, on the same day DHS said that they have no post July 1, 2009 transition plans, DHS-Division of Mental Heath network managers are sending this “reminder” days after providers received the draconian cuts:

“I have been notified that your FY 10 contract signature page has not yet
been received by the OCA. THE CONTRACT SIGNATURE PAGE MUST BE
RETURNED BY June 30, 2009 or SERVICES MAY NOT BE PERFORMED July 1, 2009.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel to contact me.”

In order to save thousands of lives in Illinois, Governor Quinn should instruct DHS Secretary Carol Adams to immediately issue continuation contracts with no cuts in community mental health funding and substance abuse treatment funding.

This action is easy, can be done quickly and is needed to save lives across the state.

The lack of an Illinois budget, a typical situation for many years, does not have to result in the loss of lives in our communities. Governor Quinn does not have to decree that cost-cutting in our communities must begin immediately.  Continuation contracting is the option while budget negotiations continue.

The discontinuation of community mental health care and substance abuse treatment has already started. And it will snowball. And the snowball quickly morph into an avalanche that buries 160,000 mothers, children and adults in community mental health care and over 60,000 receiving community alcohol and substance recovery treatment to be discontinued.

Community providers have been informed that they can not do business with the state unless their contracts containing cuts from 25 to 100 percent are signed and returned on Tuesday. The Governor’s office has other options. The working poor their children do not.

We have no place to refer these individuals seeking care that contract cuts have triggered:

• The closure of care to new individuals seeking care by community care providers
• The termination of care to Illinois’ most vulnerable children, women, men and families
• The furloughs and layoffs for community care staff

In order to maintain civil discourse, let me close by stating: the draconian contracts were not fair or ethical. If cost cutting needs to be done, I urge Governor Quinn to ensure that whatever “pain” is necessary in terms of cost cutting be shared among all areas of government spending–not for the most vulnerable among us.

Sincerely,

Frank Anselmo, CEO
June 29, 2009

Pat Quinn Should Not Sign Illinois Doomsday Budget, Mental Health Advocates Urge

(Springfield, IL) – Governor Pat Quinn should not sign the Illinois Doomsday budget approved by the Illinois General Assembly on May 31, Illinois’ leading mental health advocates today urged.

“Increasing teen suicides, abandoning recovering mothers onto the street, and jailing the mentally ill are the

Frank Anselmo, CEO, CBHA

outcomes that the legislature’s budget offers,” said Frank Anselmo, CEO of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois. Governor Quinn needs to clearly state he won’t sign the ‘Doomsday budget’”.

The legislature appropriated only 50% of last year’s budget to several state department for the coming fiscal year that begins on July 1.

As a result, the new budget guts human services, including mental health care and substance abuse treatment.

• 175,000 people will lose community mental health services, dramatically increasing homelessness, institutionalization and incarceration rates.

• 65,000 people with alcohol and substance addictions will lose treatment.

However, Anselmo noted that the legislature’s budget fully funds certain areas of state government operations and programs:

• All state employee payroll costs, including funds for minimum 4% salary increases for union employees.
• All Medicaid grants for Physicians, Hospitals and Nursing Homes.
• All operation costs for public universities and community colleges.  Spending in these areas actually was increased.
• Elementary and secondary education grants such as general state aid and special education.  Funding in these areas increases from last year.

Governor Pat Quinn and top legislative leaders–House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno–have been meeting regularly to seek solutions to the budget impasse. They meet again tomorrow.

The governor could instruct agencies to continue operating at current levels leaving lawmakers to agree on an income tax increase later this year, Anselmo says.

Leaders Radogno and Cross have said reforms and more cuts need to be agreed to before raising taxes.

At the moment, the doomsday budget (50% GRF in a lump sum for state departments) will not be sent to the Governor.  President Cullerton filed a motion to reconsider the vote on Senate Bill 1197–the budget bill, and Cullertons’ motion prevents the bill from being sent to the Governor at this time.

Pat Quinn to Get Budget that Eliminates Mental Health Care for 175,000 Illinois Residents – Maybe

(Springfield, IL) – The Illinois General Assembly approved a doomsday budget on May 31.

The legislature appropriated only 50% of last year’s budget to state department for the coming fiscal year that begins on July 1.

Governor Pat Quinn

As a result, the new budget guts human services, including mental health care and substance abuse treatment.

• 175,000 people will lose community mental health services, dramatically increasing homelessness, institutionalization and incarceration rates.

• 65,000 people with alcohol and substance addictions will lose treatment.

Governor Pat Quinn and top legislative leaders–House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Senate President John Cullerton, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno–emerged from their meeting on Monday and announced they plan to hold more meetings on Thursday. They gave non-specific responses to questions about solutions to the budget impasse.

Governor Quinn said:

• He would not sign the 50% GRF spending plan passed by lawmakers (at this time).
• Social service providers would be notified later of “the possible consequences” of 50% funding.
• He didn’t rule out signing the $30 billion capital bill–he had earlier said his signature was linked to passage of a balanced budget.
• The “whole idea” of future meetings was to reach a balanced budget.

None of the legislative leaders said there was a time-line.  The governor could instruct agencies to continue operating at current levels leaving lawmakers to agree on an income tax increase later this year.

Leaders Radogno and Cross have said reforms and more cuts need to be agreed to before raising taxes.

At the moment, the doomsday budget (50% GRF in a lump sum for state departments) will not be sent to the Governor.  President Cullerton filed a motion to reconsider the vote on Senate Bill 1197–the budget bill, and Cullertons’ motion prevents the bill from being sent to the Governor at this time.

Our View: Quinn, Lawmakers Must Deliver Rescue to Prevent 45,000 Illinois Residents from Losing Mental Health Care, Drug Treatment

Without a $92 million state financial rescue, mental health care and drug treatment services will be lost for more than 45,000 Illinois residents—by June 30, 2010.

Essentially, the Illinois mental health care and drug treatment system is in a slow motion bankruptcy because of the failure of the state of Illinois to adequately fund care.

A survey by the Community Behavioral Health Care Association of Illinois reveals that drug treatment and mental health care for 16,612 Illinois residents—9,625 children—will be eliminated and care another 29,812 Illinois residents—16,387 adults and 13,425 children—will be reduced during the next 12 months.

Mental health and drug treatment advocates are seeking a $93 million financial rescue from the state to staunch the loss of care.

Illinois political leaders must use available federal government money or other new state revenues to avert an unfolding humanitarian crisis.

This loss of care can still be avoided if Governor Pat Quinn, Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno commit the political will and the money to a rescue of behavioral healthcare as they finalize the state budget before May 31.

If they fail to stage the $93 million financial rescue, then more than 45,000 Illinois residents—of whom 25,000 of whom are children–will lose behavioral healthcare.

Quinn, Madigan, Cross, Cullerton, and Radogno must hear from voters to take action.

Frank Anselmo, CEO, Community Behavioral Healthcare Association

Feigenholtz, Winters Push “5¢ a Drink” Illinois Alcohol Tax Hike to Rescue Mental Health Care, Drug Treatment

(Springfield, IL) – Illinois’ leading drug treatment and mental health advocates today unveiled legislation at a Springfield press conference that increases the Illinois’s alcohol tax by 5¢ a drink to help fund state human services and reduce drinking.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago)

The bill, HB 4557, sponsored by State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and Dave Winters (R-Shirland), would raise $254 million for cash-strapped Illinois and boost addiction healthcare services by $140 million and mental health care services by $92 million and the remaining $22 million would be deposited in the state’s general revenue fund—its daily checkbook.

“A nickel-a-drink increase will raise $254 million to help offset the state budget deficit and provide critical investments to addiction healthcare services,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).

Frank Anselmo, CEO, CBHA

“Without a financial rescue, without $92 million invested in community mental health care, more than 45,000 will lose mental health services by June 30, 2010 according to our new survey,” said Frank Anselmo, CEO of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association.

“Illinois’ chronically under funded addiction and mental health care services need dedicated money from an alcohol tax to maintain care and taxpayers need to know their money is being wisely spent,” said Feigenholtz, Chair of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee and a state budget negotiator, who noted Governor Pat Quinn’s budget cuts the programs further.

“Instead of throwing these services a lifeline, Governor Quinn’s budget throws then an anchor,” said

State Rep. Dave Winters (R-Shirland)

Feigenholtz.

The nickel-a-drink tax would be applied on wholesale alcohol by the gallon that is distributed as packaged beer, wine, or distilled spirits to stores or as beverages purchased at bars, restaurants, and hotels.

A “drink” is 12 oz of beer (bottle), 5 oz of wine (glass), and 1.5 oz of liquor (1.5 shots). Using this definition, a nickel-a-drink tax would add 30 cents per six-pack of beer, 25 cents per bottle of wine, and 85 cents per 750 ml bottle of liquor.

In addition to funding state addiction prevention, treatment and mental health services, the nickel-a-drink would reduce drinking consumption by five million gallons or 2 percent annually. The estimated drop in consumption would be up to 3.94% for beer and cider, 2.5% for wine, and 6.76% for spirits

State Rep. Naomi Jakobbson (D-Champaign)

“We will reduce the probability of accidents among adults and youth alike,” said Howe.

Howe noted alcohol abuse and drunk driving continue to exact a terrible, deadly toll on youth and children in communities throughout Illinois.

She pointed to the most recent media reports of drug and alcohol-related driving tragedies which reinforce the need for adequate addiction healthcare funding.

• February 5 Edwardsville, IL – “A wrong-way driver whose license was yanked several times for alcohol-related offenses caused the crash early today that killed two adults and a boy and left an 11-year-old girl hospitalized.
• February 17 Johnsburg, IL –“Police are investigating who provided alcohol to a 17-year-old Johnsburg High School student who froze to death after a minor car accident last month.
• February 18 Elgin, IL – “The blood-alcohol level of an Elgin teen who crashed into a house last fall, killing his passenger, was nearly three times the legal limit for driving, police said…

Howe also noted an Illinois Department of Human Services study revealed that in 2006 nearly 40 percent of Illinois 12th graders had ridden in a car with a drunk or high teenager in the last year and 30 percent had the same experience with a drunk or high adult.

Illinois last raised the alcohol tax in 1999 and before that in 1969.

State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago)

Joining Feigenholtz as co-sponsors of the legislation are State Representatives: Deborah Mell (D-Chicago),  Greg Harris (D-Chicago), Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills), Esther Golar (D-Chicago), Naomi Jakobbson (D-Champaign).

Advocates are also looking to gain Governor Quinn’s support for the nickel-a-drink tax increase to reverse his initial budget cuts.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the final state budget by their scheduled May 31 adjournment.

A simple majority of lawmakers is required to pass a budget if voted on or before May 31. If after May 31, a 3/5th super-majority would be needed to approve the annual state spending plan.

Without Financial Rescue, Mental Health Care, Drug Treatment for 16,000 Illinois Residents—9,600 Kids—Will be Eliminated, Survey Says

(Springfield, IL) – Without tapping cash from dormant state health funds and a tax increase to stage a financial rescue, mental health care and drug treatment services will be eliminated for more than 16,000 Illinois residents—of which more than 9,600 are children—by June 30, 2010, according to a new survey of community behavioral health care providers in Illinois.

Frank Anselmo, CEO, CBHA

Advocate Michelle Schneiderheinze discusses the reduced mental health care available to severely mentally ill children in Illinois.

Released at a press conference in Springfield today, the survey by the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois estimates that community providers—without any increased state funding—will eliminate care for 16,612 people—6,987 adults and 9,625 children between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010, the end of the state’s next fiscal year.

“The Illinois mental health care and drug treatment system is in a slow motion bankruptcy because of the failure of the state to adequately fund care,” said Frank Anselmo, CEO of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois.

“Without a financial rescue, providers will accelerate the elimination of care and for more than 16,000 Illinois men, women, and children will be without care by June 30, 2010,” said Anselmo. “The risk of teen suicide will rise without any question.”

The survey also reveals that another 29,812 Illinois residents—16,387 adults and 13,425 children—will face a reduction of existing mental health care and drug treatment June 30, 2010 due to state under-funding, according to Anselmo.

Diana Knaebe, President, Heritage Behavioral Health Center, Decatur, spoke at the press conference, noting that possibly 1,000 fewer people in the Macon County area would receive care due to underfunding.

Advocates are seeking a $93 million financial rescue from the state to staunch the loss of care.

“The loss of care is an ongoing tragedy that can still be avoided if Governor Pat Quinn and lawmakers decide to use the dedicated but dormant money or provide new money from a tax increase,” said Anselmo.

Anselmo says a bi-partisan group of lawmakers are already pushing a plan to avoid the massive loss of care by drawing on the $35.3 million special health and mental health trust funds some of which have languished untapped for more than three years, and additional available federal dollars.

State Senators Jeff Schoenberg, Michael Noland, Dan Kotowski, William Delgado, Kimberly Lightford, Chris Lauzen, John Sullivan,

Chicago Tribune reporter Ray Long poses a question.

Don Harmon, Maggie Crotty, and David Koehler are sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution 31 that calls on the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget to utilize the available funds from the Mental Health Medicaid Trust Fund to increase Medicaid rates for mental health and drug treatment providers.

“If Governor Quinn and lawmakers stage a $92.8 million financial rescue by drawing on idle mental health care money, available federal funds, or a tax increase, the state can rescue care for the more than 16,000 people,” said Anselmo.

Coulson Bill Aims to Speed Payment to Struggling Illinois Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Drug Treatment Providers

(Springfield, IL) – An Illinois House panel last week unanimously supported legislation to help speed state payments owed to Illinois mental health, developmental disabilities, and drug treatment providers

State Rep. Beth Coulson

struggling under the weight of unpaid state bills.

The House State Government Administration Committee on February 25 voted 17-0 to approve House Bill 616, sponsored by State Rep. Beth Coulson (R-Glenview).

“Local community health care providers, who are helping people to deter suicide, forestall family violence, or care for disabled children, are withering on the financial vine because they are not getting paid on time,” said Frank Anselmo, CEO of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois.

“I get a telephone call nearly every week from a provider who is only two or three weeks shy of disbanding care and shutting their doors because the state is 90 days to 120 days late paying its bills, “ said Anselmo.

“Behavioral health care is on the brink of collapse in multiple communities around the state.”

Coulson’s legislation requires the Comptroller to give priority to mental health, developmental disabilities, and drug treatment providers after the state’s debt service obligations and payroll have been met.

The bill’s bipartisan co-sponsors include: State Representatives LaShawn Ford, Daniel Beiser, Thomas Holbrook, Mike Smith, Patricia Bellock, Jim Watson, Rosemary Mulligan, Lisa Dugan, Jim Sacia, Robert Pritchard, Greg Harris, Kay Hatcher, Fred Crespo, Mike Bost, Sandra Pihos, Dan Reitz, Jack Franks, Suzanne Bassi and Lou Lang.

The full Illinois House is soon expected to vote on the measure.

Kopera to Chair National Behavioral Healthcare Association

(Chicago, IL) — MHCA, a national association of high performing behavioral healthcare organizations, has announced the new Chairman of the Board of Directors is Anthony A. Kopera, PhD.

Kopera is President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4). He will serve the serve February 2009 – February 2010 term.

First elected to the MHCA Board in 2000, Kopera has served on the organization’s Executive Committee since 2002 and held the offices of Director-at-Large, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice Chairman.  He has also served as Chairman of MHCA’s Futures Forum.

C4’s Parenting Program Wins $50,000 Grant from the Chicago Community Trust

(Chicago, IL) — Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from The Chicago Community Trust to complete a far-ranging efficacy study of its Parenting Education Program. (PEP).

Launched in 1996, the bi-lingual program to strengthen families and prevent child abuse has reached more than 4,000 low-income Chicago families. Offering parenting education classes, home visits, and other services, the program reaches urban parents by using teaching strategies and materials that are culturally and linguistically sensitive.

C4 launched the three-phased study supported by the Trust as a step toward becoming a national model.

“We know that our program has been successful in teaching effective parenting skills, but we wanted to demonstrate a scientific link between the program and its impact on actual parenting practices and benefit to children,” observes Katharine Bensinger, program founder and supervisor.

The Trust’s 2009 grant will fund the final interview phase, data analysis, and dissemination of findings, which will be submitted to three national best-practice bodies, including the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“Completing the study is the first step toward becoming a national model,” explains Bensinger, who said she plans to develop curriculum training materials and work with other Illinois organizations to implement PEP.

The most recent award marks the second $50,000 grant from the Trust in support of the program’s efficacy study.

With assets of $1.8 billion, the Chicago Community Trust made a record-breaking $114 million in grants in 2007. From strengthening community schools to assisting art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust works to enhance our region.

PEP is among several services offered by Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, a community mental health agency which serves more than 9,000 low-income men, women and children every year.