Legislative Info

2004

COALITION FOR MENTALLY DISABLED CITIZENS OF VIRGINIA
2025 East Main Street, Suite 120, Richmond, VA 23223

December 2, 2004
Mental Disability Advocates Seek More State Help:
Services for Persons with Mental Disabilities Do Work

The Coalition For Mentally Disabled Citizens of Virginia kicked off its annual campaign for improved state funding for services to persons with mental illness, mental retardation or substance use disorder at the 2005 legislative session. The Coalition represents twelve state and regional organizations united to inform state elected officials about the critical unmet needs and issues facing individuals with mental disabilities and their families.

Mr. Raymond Burmester, Coalition Co-Chair said, “Our Coalition was very pleased that the final 2004-06 state budget addressed some critical problems, especially in the Medicaid mental retardation waiver program. The new slots will significantly reduce the ‘urgent care’ waiting list. However, the Commonwealth’s mental health and substance abuse needs were largely unaddressed plus the Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates are so low that new mental retardation services approved at the last session have been difficult to bring on line.”

According to Mr. Burmester, “It is a real familiar story. When adequate state funding is made available, persons with disabilities can receive the help they need to live successfully and thrive in their communities. A few success stories give a clear picture of what state dollars mean to persons with mental disabilities and their families.”

Northern Virginia: Matthew’s family was in crisis due to his disruptive behavior and was on the verge of asking the state and local governments to pull him away from the family and place him in a residential setting. Matthew, age 12, has a cognitive and autism spectrum disorder. With a Medicaid waiver slot for Matthew, the family can now tap into resources that include behavior supports in the home, personal care, and respite services to give his family a break. Supports offered through the waiver saved a marriage and a family and Matthew.

Richmond: Prior to his first psychotic break, Kevin made the Dean’s List in college, and had aspirations for a career in political science. He then began a ten-year period of time marked by homelessness, incarceration, and visits to Central State Hospital in Petersburg. The turning point for Kevin came when he was incarcerated and suffering from the symptoms of his mental illness. He became a client of the RBHA PACT team and learned he could count on the structure that the PACT model provides for him, whether it’s regular medication deliveries, personal attention from the team psychiatrist, or daily interventions from caring team members. He is now able to maintain a part time job, is involved with community activities, and for the past 9 years has not been incarcerated or required hospitalization.

Mr. Burmester stated, “These stories show how state funding can positively impact the lives of Virginians with disabilities. That is the good news. The bad news is that Virginia still has a long way to go in its funding support for people with mental disabilities. Waiting lists continue to grow as aging family caretakers become too old to continue the constant, hands-on care that has to be provided. We have also been falling further behind in our capacity to treat young persons with serious mental illness or alcohol/drug problems. Given the positive state revenue forecasts, the 2005 session offers the Governor and General Assembly a unique opportunity to have our state government step up and build a mental disability system our Commonwealth can be proud of. The future is now.”

For further information contact Raymond Burmester, Coalition Co-Chair, (703) 978-4390.


PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Easter Seals Virginia, Mental Health Association of Virginia, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Virginia, Parents & Associates of the Institutionalized Retarded, Psychiatric Society of Virginia, Substance Abuse & Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia, The Arc of Virginia, VaACCSES, Virginia Association of Drug & Alcohol Programs, Virginia Rehabilitation Association, Voices for Virginia’s Children, Washington Psychiatric Society/Northern Virginia Chapter.