ALLAMAKEE COUNTY

MENTAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES

STRATEGIC PLAN

FY 2004-2006

Approved 3/24/03

Allamakee County Board of Supervisors

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MISSION STATEMENT............................................................... 3

A.  NEEDS ASSESSMENT........................................................... 3

Development of FY 2004-2006 Strategic Plan........................................................... 3

Areas of Concern........................................................................................................ 4

B.  GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.................................................. 4

C.  SERVICE AND SUPPORTS................................................... 7

D.  PROVIDER NETWORK & ACCESS POINTS.................. 9

MISSION STATEMENT

            Allamakee County is dedicated to providing appropriate and cost effective mental health services.  Toward this end, the county management plan will provide a vehicle for identifying the type and amount of service consumers receive to live and work in the least restrictive environment.  The county plan will reflect consumer choice and empowerment and give priority to community based services when appropriate.

A.      NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Development of FY 2004-2006 Strategic Plan

Throughout the year, the CPC Administrator relied on the Citizen’s Advisory Board (CAB) to carry out the current plan and formulate ideas for the FY 2004-2006 Strategic Plan.  The Board consists of nine members including consumers, family members, and citizens representing all disability groups and meets monthly to review the activities of the CPC Office.  Major activities included visiting local providers, talking with various consumers, and exploring financial and legislative aspects of the MH/DD system.  Minutes of the meetings are available in the CPC Office. 

On February 10, 2003, the CAB public informational meeting was held to review past trends and the current status of the Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Services Plan.  The group also broke into two smaller groups to discuss future needs for the next three years.  Two (2) consumers, one (1) family member, five (5) providers, and three (3) citizens, including one member of the Board of Supervisors, attended this meeting. 

On February 18, 2003, Jan Heikes (CPC administrator) and Julia Wangberg (student intern) met with consumers at TASC to gather their input.  In general, consumers are happy with their current community-based services.  They expressed strong interest in becoming included in more aspects of the community, such as social events, living and working in the community.  Other priorities included increasing recreation and travel opportunities.

The public hearing for the Mental Health Management Plan was held March 24, 2003.  Notices appeared within the required time frames in The Allamakee Journal and The Waukon Standard.  The final version of the plan reflects issues raised in this planning process. The Courthouse is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Areas of Concern

Comments in italics denote those made by consumers.  All other comments are from family members, providers, and citizens.

1.      Increased opportunities to live and work in the community.  Some consumers would like to be a supervisor of other employees and be given more responsibility.  Others would like to live in their own apartment.

2.      Increased lower cost transportation options. This is important not only for work opportunities but also for recreation and longer trips.  Possible trip destinations suggested include Texas, pro-wrestling events, “The Price is Right”, and fishing trips. Clients would like to have the bus passes reinstated.

3.      More opportunities for recreating and socializing among each other and with community members.  Many said that they would like Jan Heikes and other community members to come out and work with them for a day inoculating mushrooms.

4.      More affordable transportation.  Providers note that lack of affordable and reliable transportation limits the opportunities for interaction with the community.

5.      Development of comprehensive retirement plans as the baby-boomers become retirement age.  Funding options such as Day Habilitation and Title XIX should be explored.

6.      Smoother transitions between children and adult MH/DD/MR services.

7.      Increased expectation from the community that all members work to their ability.  Expanding Supported Employment could create opportunities for every person to participate in the working community.

8.      Housing that is affordable, accessible and available to all consumers.

9.      Increased community advocacy, public education, and involvement in legislative issues.

B.      GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Note:  Due to financial and political uncertainties of the next three years we have chosen to state our goals and objectives in more general outcomes.  The action steps reflect some current ideas about measurable indicators of these goals.

Goal 1:  People with disabilities will live lives no different than people without disabilities.

Objective A:  Our community will actively include all people regardless of disability.

Action Step 1:  Increase the number of individuals with disabilities participating on community boards and committees and volunteering in community service organizations.

Action Step 2:  Increase the number of individuals with disabilities participating in religious activities (other than worship) such as church choirs, helping with funerals, and participating in church dinners.

Action Step 3: Increase community advocacy, education and involvement in legislative issues dealing with people with disabilities.

Objective B:  All members will have the right to risk both failure and success.

Action Step 1:  Increase the number of individuals with disabilities working in community businesses for real wages.

Action Step 2:   Increase the number of individuals with disabilities living in affordable housing in communities of their choice.

Objective C:  Individuals will actively assert both personal responsibility and rights when utilizing services.

Action Step 1: Increase the number of individuals with disabilities making their own decisions and accepting the consequences, both positive and negative, with the support of their families, friends, and providers.

Action Step 2:  Provide education for individuals with disabilities, their families, service providers and the communities, about consumer rights and responsibilities as people, clients, workers, volunteers, board members, friends, community members, etc.

Goal 2:  Our community will provide an array of opportunities that aid in life’s transitions.

Objective A:  Individuals’ entry into the system at any point, whether accessing child or adult services, will be straightforward and simple with helpful interactions between professionals and clients.

Action Step 1:  Increase education of community gatekeepers from an variety of service groups about individuals with disabilities and the services available with emphasis on the referral process.

Action Step 2:  Increase community education about access to services to increase knowledge and decrease stigmatization.

Objective B:  Individuals moving from child to adult services and adult to elderly services will experience ease  and assistance from all agencies involved.

Action Step 1:  Create advocacy teams of families and consumers.

Action Step 2:  Provide life planning education for clients, family members, and service agencies.

Objective C:  Our community will provide a supportive and safe environment where clients can transition out of crisis and back to everyday activities.

Action Step 1:  Increase training in Wellness Recovery Action Planning with clients and community members.

Action Step 2:  Continue to explore more crisis options in local communities, including psychiatric hospitalization.

Action Step 3:  Continue to explore options for accessible and affordable transportation.

C.      SERVICE AND SUPPORTS

The following matrix outlines services that (as defined by the state chart of accounts) are available for each diagnostic group.  An asterisk (*) denotes services mandated by federal or state law.  More specific requirements are found in the service listing, and in the budget.

D.      PROVIDER NETWORK & ACCESS POINTS

*Denotes local access points.  Staff at these agencies will help complete the needed application form, complete a comprehensive service needs assessment, and forward the completed application to the Allamakee County MH/DD Central Point of Coordination office that determines eligibility and service funding.