July
2, 2007
Listed
below are two studies that have just come out from the Commission
of Qualty of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.
The
first study reviews the financial and programmatic aspects of
Assisted Living Programs in 13 adult homes in New York.
The
second study reviews several aspects of Residential Treatment
Facilities (RTFs) including long waiting lists and a lack of residential
options available in the community. As MHANYS continues to explore
alternative services for adolescents in transition, it will be
important to work with RTFs in insuring greater access to appropriate
and recovery oriented community services.
The
Commission has been very responsive to the concerns of MHANYS
and our colleagues in the mental health community. I am sure that
they would be willing to discuss in greater detail any questions
you have related to these two studies.
The
following are news items or updates to this website:
-
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.
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