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Project Process

During the first year of the Mental Health Transformation Project, an ambitious process was launched to hear from consumers and stakeholders about the state of Washington's mental health services system. Beginning in February, 2006, public testimony was sought to help shape the Draft Comprehensive Mental Health Plan (CMHP) required by the grant.

At the December 9, 2005 Transformation Work Group (TWG) meeting [Microsoft Word 63KB], the process outlined in the grant proposal was discussed and authorized. With the help of the Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council, Subcommittee structures [Microsoft Word 140KB] were determined and nominees for members selected. Subcommittees were formed around specific population targets and each eleven-person committee had 51% consumer representation.

The process also included support from Washington's Regional Support Networks (RSNs) - the local government structure providing mental health services state-wide. Each of 14 RSNs conducted public meeting, sometimes referred to as "listening sessions", to collect further input. In both Subcommittee and RSN venues the same four questions were asked:

  1. Within Washington State, and for all mental health services, public or private, what is working well when addressing the needs of mental health consumers?
  2. Within Washington State, and for all mental health services, public or private, what is NOT working, creates barriers or fails to provide quality service and support when addressing the needs of mental health consumers?
  3. What would a "transformed" mental health system look like?
  4. What outcomes would indicate that the changes in the mental health service systems are creating improved results for consumers?

The response from the public was overwhelming. The University of Washington School of Medicine, Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy, was hired to analyze and summarize the thousands of pages of verbatim transcripts collected during the process.

Going Forward

The Transformation planning process continued. In April, 2006 the Subcommittees met to discuss the Summaries and reported to the TWG. Task Groups [Microsoft Word 657KB] comprised of subject area experts developed Strategies to reach the Outcomes proposed by Subcommittees. Task Group members were identified and began their work at the end of April. In June, 2006, those Strategies were forwarded to the TWG. Finally, the draft CMHP was submitted to Governor Christine Gregoire September 1, and to the federal government September 30, 2006.

Immediately after the comprehensive plan was submitted, the TWG and the Transformation office begin work on implementation of key strategies to achieve the transformative goals outlined in Phase One of the plan. The Governor directed the TWG to focus on three priority outcomes [Microsoft Word 130KB]: Outcomes #1, 6 and 27. Transformation Work Group agencies submitted 94 strategies to achieve the three priority outcomes. The grant funded fifteen of the strategies in the areas of technical assistance, training and research, while the other strategies were included in the Governors budget and request legislation, or were supported by existing funds or structure. Some strategies were not advanced. As of April 2007, legislative activity and funded strategies are beginning.

Year Two Continuation Budget [Portable Document Format 29KB]
Continuation Application for Year Three [Portable Document Format 2.5MB]

 

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