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• New, June 2007 - Review of Assisted Living Programs - This report describes the Commission’s review [text or pdf format] of the programmatic and financial practices of Assisted Living Programs (ALP) operated in thirteen adult homes which serve individuals who had received mental hygiene services (“impacted” homes). The homes in the Commission’s review had a total capacity of 885 ALP beds, approximately one-quarter of the total number of ALP beds in New York. The Commission found that Medicaid payments for ALP services in the homes reviewed averaged approximately $60/day/resident, while ALP expenditures by the homes averaged approximately $30/day/resident. The Commission also questioned the validity of the individual needs assessments, which drove reimbursement levels; the adequacy of ALP services provided; and the extent to which related party transactions were disclosed on annual financial reports. In response to Commission recommendations, the Department of Health [response in pdf format] suggested that a broader study would be necessary in order to draw any conclusions concerning the profitability of adult homes which are valid beyond the homes reviewed. The Department also described the steps it was taking to implement more accurate assessment instruments and strengthen surveillance activities to assure the provision of appropriate services. Finally, the Department noted that in cooperation with the Commission the adult home annual cost reports have been revised to more clearly describe related party transactions, which will, in turn, allow the State to better gauge the financial stability of individual providers and the industry as a whole.
  
• New, June 2007 - Study of Residential Treatment Facilities - In response to concerns expressed by parents who believed their children with serious emotional disturbances waited too long for residential treatment, parents whose children had not had a successful discharge from residential treatment, and advocates who cited the dearth of residential options for young adults leaving Residential Treatment Facilities (RTF), the Commission undertook a study [text or pdf format] of 60 youths who had been discharged from Office of Mental Health licensed RTF between January 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005. This study sample represents nearly 20 percent of the youths discharged from the 13 study facilities during the same period. The study describes the troubled histories of the sample children and adolescents and their families; family and adult involvement during the children’s/adolescents’ RTF stay; the perspective of involved adults, children and adolescents; gaining admission to the RTF; meeting the needs of youths; the use of restraining techniques; and the perspectives from SPOAs, PACCs and RTF administrators related to the acuity level of the youths and discharge needs. In response to the Commission’s report, the Office of Mental Health [pdf format] described a number of critical initiatives in process or planned that are responsive to the study findings and recommendations.