It has been acclaimed as a national model for other states. Last year’s settlement agreement between Georgia and federal officials over improving the care of people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities has won widespread praise from consumer advocacy groups, both here and nationally. But the pact with the U.S. Justice Department has one major…
Homicide and suicide outpace the more traditional causes of death for women during pregnancy or up to a year after birth, a new analysis has found. In a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dr. Christie Palladino, an OB/GYN and researcher at Georgia Health Sciences University, used CDC data from 17 states (including…
The state has made significant progress toward meeting the goals of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to improve services for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, an independent report says. But the Oct. 5 report, by independent reviewer Elizabeth Jones, is critical of some community services and help provided to people…
The state agency overseeing mental health and disabilities services is facing budget cuts, but it still plans to spend hefty amounts to meet the goals of a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) said it anticipates cuts of $6 million to $13 million…
Past cuts in funding for some Georgians with developmental disabilities have threatened their safety net, says a state organization that provides community services to these people. Now the fear is that upcoming state rate changes may drive some service providers out of business, says Ralph Herndon, president of the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards….
After being vacant for almost 10 months, the job of state disability services ombudsman has been filled. Corinna Magelund, who was an official in the administration of the previous governor, Sonny Perdue, has been appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to take over the ombudsman position. Magelund most recently served at the Department of Community Affairs,…
Georgia’s plan to help institutionalized people with disabilities receive services has been stalled, consumer advocates say. The man in charge of that disabilities plan has left the position, and no replacement has yet been named. William Janes won praise from advocacy groups while serving as Georgia’s “Olmstead Coordinator’’ for about 16 months, until his departure…
Georgia is on track in delivering promised changes for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, a state official said Friday. The state promised to revitalize community services as part of a landmark 2010 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over problems in Georgia’s mental health system. Pamela Schuble, the settlement coordinator with the…
The job of state disability services ombudsman has been open for eight months now, and consumer advocates fear that the position will not be filled. A Savannah leader of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, John Richards, recently wrote Gov. Nathan Deal a letter urging him to appoint an ombudsman soon. Consumer advocacy groups, Richards…
Senate Bill 39, which would facilitate the creation of mental health courts in Georgia, passed the House on Tuesday. Here’s Georgia Health News’ story Monday on the legislation. Also, the House approved a revamp of the state’s assisted living rules, the culmination of a 16-year effort to change the regulations. Here’s a recent GHN article…