DSL MEMO SERIES
2002-09
October 29, 2002
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living
To:
Key Constituency Groups in Mental Health and Substance
Abuse
From:
Sinikka McCabe, Administrator
Re: Results of a Feasibility Study to merge the Bureau
of Community Mental Health and the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
The April 30, 2002 DSL Info Memo 2002-04 announced the
feasibility study to merge the Bureau of Community Mental Health and the
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services. The opportunity to establish the study
was a result of leadership changes in both Bureaus.
A study team consisting of two staff members from the
Bureau of Community Mental Health Services, two staff members from the
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, two staff members from the Division of
Management and Technology, one staff member from the Office of Strategic
Finance and one staff member from the DSL Bureau of Quality Assurance
formed the project team.
The team’s approach to this study involved a number of
activities that included:
- A review of the organization of mental health and
substance abuse services in several states and at the federal level.
- A written survey of internal and external
stakeholders identified by bureau representatives.
- Structured interviews with several key stakeholder
groups that represented mental health and substance abuse programs
or services.
- Feedback session with members of the stakeholder
groups and other interested persons.
- Feedback session with staff from the Bureau of
Community Mental Health and the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.
The committee first met in March 2002 and presented the
survey summary information to the Administrator of the Division of
Supportive Living, the Deputy Secretary and Executive Assistant of the
Department of Health and Family Services in August 2002. Based on the
feedback from our key constituency groups and other findings, the key
recommendations include the following:
- Maintain the Bureau of Community Mental Health and
the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services as separate bureaus, with
increased coordination and collaboration.
- The two Bureaus need to continue their work on
current joint initiatives and the leadership of both bureaus are
expected to engage in coordination and collaboration initiatives.
These collaborative efforts include joint functional activities such
as contracting and contract monitoring and programmatic activities
like dual diagnosis.
The summary report that details the process,
questionnaires, interview results and recommendations is attached for your
information. Our short-term plans focus our efforts on initiating and
expanding "common ground" activities. We believe these efforts
will enhance the efficiency of management and the provision of services to
mental health and substance abuse clientele statewide. Decisions about our
long-term plans will occur after further analysis of the recommendations
and after we assess the outcomes of the "common ground"
activities.
The summary report contains information and perspectives
that we could not have gathered without the cooperation and involvement of
our key constituency groups. This information was critical in the
development of the final recommendations. I thank you for your
participation in this important study.
CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT:
Mark Hale, Supervisor
Program Certification Unit
Bureau of Quality Assurance
Phone: (608) 266-0120
Fax: (608) 266-5466
Halemd@wisconsin.gov
Attachments
(pdf-8667kb)
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