Provide input into this year's OASAS Statewide Comprehensive Plan 2012-2016 and OMH Statewide Comprehensive Plan 2012-2016

In an environment of significant changes to the delivery of behavioral health services, OMH and OASAS want to know your priorities for the future of mental health and substance use disorder services.

Send your thoughts via e-mail before August 29, 2012.

Or fill out our comment card.

Save the Date:
OASAS & OMH
Joint Public Hearing
September 6, 2012
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hosted by OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez and OMH Commissioner Michael Hogan via videoconference among seven locations: Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Manhattan, Staten Island and West Brentwood.

Register early. Sites have limited capacity.

This hearing will be held in the style of a town hall meeting. OASAS and OMH request that all input be received in writing before the date of the hearing. Individuals testifying should summarize their input, providing the Commissioners and those attending the opportunity to dialogue about priorities.

If you require any special accommodations to participate in the hearing, or have questions about the format, please contact Colleen Garrahan at 518-473-3570.

OASAS and OMH are conducting the first-ever joint public hearing on their Statewide Comprehensive Plans required under Section 5.07 of State Mental Hygiene Law. This hearing will enable stakeholders interested in issues affecting people with mental health and substance use disorders to provide input to OASAS and OMH for consideration in the development of their respective Statewide Comprehensive Plans. If you would like to attend in one of the seven locations across the state, register early, as seating is first-come, first-serve with limited capacity. All sites will be videoconferenced together.

This hearing, and the Statewide Comprehensive Plans it subsequently informs, will address issues concerning the future direction of mental health and substance use disorder services and systems. Given the fundamental restructuring taking place in behavioral health care in New York State through initiatives such as Behavioral Health Organizations (BHOs) and Health Homes – to name just two – this hearing provides a crucial opportunity for interested parties to share their ideas for improving these service systems. OASAS and OMH are dedicated to providing individuals and families access to quality, integrated services and supports that foster recovery and well-being. Comments from individuals, families and organizations are crucial in assisting the two state agencies in meeting the needs of the people we serve.

OASAS and OMH seek ideas on issues related to the far-reaching changes now underway. The two agencies especially welcome your thoughts on the following questions:

• As New York State moves toward implementing a managed care approach for behavioral health services in the Medicaid program, and integration of behavioral health services with physical health services in Medicaid, what has been your experience thus far with the interim-Behavioral Health Organization and Health Home initiatives?
• What factors/considerations should OASAS and OMH take into account in developing strategies for integrating and managing mental health and substance use disorder services?
• What elements, services and supports would you like to see included – or not included – as part of managed networks of behavioral health care?
• What factors should be taken into consideration in determining how to measure the performance of efforts as we move to managed care?
• What efforts should be made to bring physical and behavioral health care together to improve the health and quality of life for people engaged in care?
• What modifications to existing services and supports should OASAS and OMH make to promote recovery and resiliency, and provide individuals opportunities to participate fully in their community?
• What steps should OASAS and OMH take to improve efforts to promote mental wellness and prevent substance abuse?