DMHSAS Info Memo 2009-05
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Health Services
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
DMHSAS Info Memo 2009-05
Date: November 10, 2009
Index Title: Consolidation of Children’s Services at the State Mental Health Institutes
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From:
John Easterday Ph.D., Administrator
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Subject:
Consolidation of Children’s Services at the State Mental Health Institutes
Document Summary
Due to ongoing low census, child and adolescent services at the state mental health institutes (Mendota and Winnebago), will begin consolidating in
December 2009. Specifically, on December 1, 2009, two Winnebago Mental Health Units, the Children & Adolescent Psychiatric Service (CAPS) and the
Adolescent Treatment and Recovery Unit (ATRU) unit, will merge into one unit. On February 1, 2010, the Children’s Assessment and Treatment Unit (CATU)
at MMHI will be consolidating into a single unit located at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. Services for children (ages 10 and under) will
continue at one location - the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. The Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI) will continue to serve adolescent males,
while the Winnebago Mental Health Institute will continue to provide Dual Diagnosed MH/AODA services (Anchorage Unit) and other specialty services for
children and adolescent males and females. This decision reduces and consolidates child and adolescent beds at the state mental health institutes in
order to continue providing quality and cost effective services.
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 children’s beds have been underutilized over the past year. In
addition, recent state budget and legislative changes may be contributing to the actual and projected decline in civil patient census, especially in
the decline in children’s bed utilization at both Mental Health Institutes. Based upon the decline in bed utilization and the need to keep the rate
for services at the MHIs at appropriate and cost effective levels, the decision has been made to consolidate children’s services at Winnebago Mental
Health Institute.
Transition Plan for Children
Beginning January 1, 2010, children (males and females, age 10 and younger) needing inpatient psychiatric services in the state mental health
institutes will be directed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. Adolescent males age 11 or older will continue to be admitted to the Mendota
Mental Health Institute. Mendota staff will work with the respective counties concerning transition planning for any children (age 10 or younger)
needing placement outside of Mendota prior to the February 1, 2010 closing date of the CATU.
For further information about admissions of children or adolescent males to MMHI, please contact Cindy Ebsen at telephone: (608) 301-1141 or (608)
444-0748.
The Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Winnebago Mental Health Institute are committed to working with each county to
provide specialized inpatient services for children and adolescents. In addition, the WMHI Anchorage program will continue to provide AODA / MH
services for youth statewide.
For further information about admissions of children to WMHI, please contact Renee Dewitt at telephone: (920) 235-4910 extension 2527, or Erin
Sarauer at telephone: (920) 235-4810 extension 2360.
Contact Persons:
Gregory Van Rybroek
Director
Mendota Mental Health Institute
Telephone: (608) 301-1042
Fax: (608) 301-1390
gregory.vanrybroek@wisconsin.gov
Robert Kneepkens
Director
Winnebago Mental Health Institute
Telephone: (920) 235-4910 ext. 2550
Fax: (920) 237-2043
robert.kneepkens@wisconsin.gov
DHS Memo Website: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dsl_info/
Last Revised: July 12, 2010
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