NC H1132

Department of Health and Human Services must submit a report by November 1, 2014, detailing strategies to improve mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services delivery.

Report must include plans to improve communication among department divisions, increase community-based crisis services, and ensure comprehensive outpatient treatment availability across all local management entity catchment areas.

Department must examine options for expanding inpatient psychiatric and substance abuse bed inventory through state-operated facilities, community hospital beds, Veterans Administration beds, and community-based alternatives.

Report must include recommendations for Cherry Hospital campus buildings after patient relocation, develop a method to track inpatient behavioral health beds for children ages 6-12 and adolescents over 12, and provide status updates on the 2008 Mental Health Commission Workforce Development Plan.

Department must submit a second report by March 1, 2015, containing a comprehensive strategy to address shortage of child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric beds, including a real-time bed registry, and outcome measures for state-operated alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers.