The proposal, called the "Community Reinvestment Project," will direct nearly $22 million annually from state mental health institutions to community services boards. Those boards would offer innovative community care to patients who would otherwise be institutionalized.
"Community-based care acknowledges the dignity of every individual and their right to live as full members of society," Warner is quoted in a Dec. 17 news release from the governor's office.
"We are making this change because I am committed to making sure that Virginians with disabilities not only have the same rights as everyone else, but the same opportunities as well. In short, this is the right thing to do and it's the right time to do it," Warner is quoted.
These initiatives are part of a broader package of reforms Warner will propose to the General Assembly this month.
According to the news release, the governor's mental health care reforms would:
* Close units and beds at state mental health facilities. Inpatient beds at five institutions will be reduced: Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute in Marion, Central State Hospital in Petersburg, Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Falls Church and Western State Hospital in Staunton. However, no institutions will be closed.
* Direct resources from mental health institutions to fund community care. The governor's budget will allow reinvestment of up to $21.7 million annually from five state mental health institutions to innovative community care through community services boards.
* Deliver better care to mentally ill persons through community care. This proposal will direct resources from state institutions to fund community care through the state's 40 community services boards. Examples include: establishing a regional behavioral health authority to manage a community program in a vacant hospital building at Central State Hospital and creating regional jail service teams to provide assessment and limited counseling services.
* Encourage community services to be operated on the campus of existing mental health institutions. Warner's reform package will take advantage of existing space and existing employees at state mental health facilities to help operate community care projects - when appropriate - directly on the campuses of those institutions.
* Work closely with local communities and interested parties. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse has worked closely with community services boards in developing the Community Reinvestment Project. The department will work with consumers, advocates, private providers, local governments and others as its mental health restructuring efforts continue.
