Today the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), part of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), announced a plan to improve access to community-based care for specific patient populations. These changes are part of FSSA's efforts to ensure that individuals who can benefit from community-based services are given that opportunity.

 

"For patients who will transition, this is a step toward greater recovery and a life in the community," said DMHA Director Gina Eckart. "This is a chance for these patients to receive more appropriate treatment, increase their opportunities for success, and be closer to their friends and family."

 

DMHA has carefully evaluated the role of the six state psychiatric hospitals. Particular attention was given to the mission of the state psychiatric hospitals, evidence-based practices in treating the current populations now served in the hospitals, and the length of stay associated with a typical treatment regimen. The patient populations targeted for transition to the community are those with chronic addictions and those with intellectual disabilities.

 

This transition will occur gradually over the next several months, and hospital capacity will only be reduced as patients transition to appropriate community settings capable of providing the treatment and care required. In all instances, the patients and their families will be involved in decisions regarding their care.

 

Nationally, states spend, on average, 70 percent of their mental health and addiction budgets on community-based services. Indiana currently spends 50 percent on community-based services.

 

"Home and community-based services allow people with disabilities to live in a far less restrictive setting, close to friends and family, with a greatly improved quality of life.  At the same time, providing community-based services is a more effective and efficient use of state funds," said Kim Dotson, Associate Executive Director of the ARC of Indiana. "Indiana has had great success in moving people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities from institutions into home and community-based services, and is now the largest state in the country without a state run institution for people with developmental disabilities. It is time to make that same commitment to people with mental health issues."

 

"A key component of Mental Health America's mission is to promote the mental health and recovery of all Indiana citizens and supporting recovery in the least restrictive environment is key. We support the state's effort to ensure individuals' right to a life within the community, a life that is as is independent as possible," said Steve McCaffrey, President of the Mental Health Association in Indiana.

 

State hospitals will remain an important part of the continuum of mental health services. However, the hospitals will transition to specific patient populations and shorter lengths of stay for most consumers. Richmond State Hospital will be focused on serving those patients with serious mental illness (SMI) and Logansport State Hospital will be focused on forensic psychiatric services. 

 

When the transition is complete, DMHA estimates hospital capacity in Richmond State Hospital will decrease from its current 312 to 211 patients and Logansport State Hospital will decrease from its current 388 to 134 patients. As the capacity of the hospitals decrease, DMHA will also institute a gradual layoff of employees. DMHA estimates this will result in the eventual layoff of 106 employees in Richmond and 355 in Logansport. 

Employees laid off will be given priority consideration for recall and for open positions approved for filling at other state hospitals. 

 

Facts on State Operated Facility (SOF) changes: 

 

• Close the substance abuse services at Richmond State Hospital to move to regionally based services that are easier for clients to access. A plan is underway to provide this service throughout the state via contracted providers. 

• Close the youth services unit at Richmond State Hospital. This service will be consolidated into the youth services unit at Larue Carter Hospital, and the unit at Richmond State Hospital will be utilized for SMI patients. 

• Close the noncertified MR/DD unit at Richmond State Hospital and utilize the unit for patients with SMI. 

• Close the majority of the civil beds, including the certified MR/DD units, at Logansport State Hospital. Utilize two Larson units for forensic beds. Logansport State Hospital will focus on forensic and high-risk patient populations.

• Close the certified MR/DD unit at Evansville State Hospital and utilize the unit for patients with SMI.  

• Close two certified MR/DD units at Madison State Hospital and utilize the units for patients with SMI. 

The above changes combined will result in a net reduction of approximately 30% of capacity and a redeployment of around 100 beds for SMI patients. It is anticipated that these changes will be completed by March 1, 2011.

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