DMHSAS Info Memo 2010-07

DLTC / DMHSAS Information Memo Series index page

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health Services
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
DMHSAS Info Memo Series 2010-07
Date:  September 16, 2010

Index Title: Further Consolidation: Civil Units for Adults, Children and Adolescents at the State Mental Health Institutes

To:  Listserv

For:
Human Services Area Coordinator
Bureau Directors
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Mental Health Coordinators
Tribal Chairpersons / Human Services Facilitators

From:  John Easterday, Ph.D., Administrator, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Subject:  Further Consolidation: Civil Units at the State Mental Health Institutes

Document Summary

Due to ongoing low census, civil units for adults (individuals age 18 and older), children and adolescents at the state mental health institutes (Mendota and Winnebago) will undergo further consolidation beginning on September 30, 2010 with a completion date of January 1, 2011. Specifically, no later than December 1, 2010 the Adult Assessment and Treatment Unit (AATU) at Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI) in Madison will no longer accept admissions. MMHI will continue to serve adult males on the Civil Secure Unit (CSTU) and elderly adult males and females on the Geropsychiatric Treatment Unit (GTU). Adult females will continue to be served at Winnebago Mental Health Institute (WMHI) in Oshkosh. At the same time, no later than January 1, 2011 two units at WMHI in Oshkosh will consolidate into one unit. The STEP unit and the FBTU will consolidate into a single unit and continue to accept admissions without interruption of service delivery. Previously, all child-adolescent services had been consolidated at WMHI. The current consolidation moves in the direction of providing inpatient services for females to one facility, WMHI.

As of September 1, 2010 the Transitional Living Community (TLC) at WMHI in Oshkosh will no longer accept admissions. Individuals with intellectual or development disability and acute psychiatric treatment issues will continue to be served at both MMHI and WMHI if appropriate. The Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS) and the Division of Long Term Care (DLTC) are working collaboratively to insure the needs of these individuals continue to be met in the most appropriate treatment setting and to provide those services in a timely manner. The TLC will cease to exist as a separate unit no later than April 1, 2011.

Both facilities will continue to serve forensic patients. All child-adolescent services will be located at WMHI, as will all services for females with the exception of elderly females who will continue to be served at MMHI.

Background
The Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS), as part of its ongoing review of bed utilization at both Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI) and Winnebago Mental Health Institute (WMHI), has determined that civil beds for all chapter 51 and other non-forensic patients have been underutilized over the past year. In addition, recent state policy changes and the response of counties to develop suitable alternatives may be contributing to the actual and projected decline in civil patient census at both Mental Health Institutes. Based upon the decline in bed utilization and the need to keep rates for services at the MHIs at appropriate and cost effective levels, the Department previously made the decision to consolidate child and adolescent services at Winnebago Mental Health Institute. This was announced in DMHSAS Info Memo 2010-02. Prior to that decision DMHSAS Info Memo 2009-05 announced the consolidation of children’s services at Winnebago.

Transition Plan for Adults
No later than December 1, 2010, adult females needing inpatient psychiatric services in the state mental health institutes will be directed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

The Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Mendota and Winnebago Mental Health Institutes are committed to working with each county to provide specialized inpatient services for all adults. Adult females will be served at the WMHI. Adult males will be served at both MMHI and WMHI. Elderly adults will continue to be served at MMHI. Individuals with intellectual or development disabilities and an acute psychiatric illness will continue to be served on an as needed basis at both MMHI and WMHI.

Contact Persons

Greg Van Rybroek, Director
Mendota Mental Health Institute
301 Troy Drive, Madison, WI 53704
Telephone: (608) 301-1042
Fax: (608) 301-1390
Gregory.Vanrybroek@wisconsin.gov

Thomas Speech, Director
Winnebago Mental Health Institute
P.O. Box 9, Winnebago, WI 54985-0009
Telephone: (920) 237-2802
Fax: (920) 237-2043
Thomas.Speech@wisconsin.gov

Memo Websites

DMHSAS info memo 2010-02: Further Consolidation: Child and Adolescent Services at the State Mental Health Institutes (PDF, 24KB)

Last Revised:  September 16, 2010