The MMHAG Steering Committee set the direction for Phase II at its March 2004 meeting. The Top Ten Priorities identified in the Action Steps Report released in February 2004 are the foundation for MMHAG Phase II. The objectives for each of the priorities will be pursued primarily by Work Groups. A chart showing the priorities, the Work Groups, and the Chair/Co-Chairs of each can be found by clicking here.
Some Work Groups are moving ahead more quickly than others as the work of some groups is best started after certain other objectives are met. Other Work Groups are still forming. Each Chair is empowered to invite members to the group to assure a balance of representation and a manageable size to accomplish the task. Although the current legislative session has made significant demands on the time and energy of many people, Phase II is gaining momentum and we will see additional activity as the demands of the 2004 legislative session ease.
One of MMHAG’s goals is to serve as a catalyst for change. Our intent is to continue linking with others working across our state to create the groundswell of activity. On behalf of the Co-Chairs Commissioner Kevin Goodno and Gary Cunningham, thanks to everyone who is working so hard to make good mental health care and services accessible to clients and their families across Minnesota.
Web Communications
Three of the original six Action Teams formed in Phase I (Fiscal Framework, Earlier Intervention and Secondary Prevention, Coordination of Care and Services) will continue to coordinate the Work Groups they are forming to accomplish their objectives. The remaining three Action Teams have dissolved (Public Private Partnerships, Standardized Assessment/Performance Measurement/Outcomes, and Workforce Solutions) having formed Work Groups to carry on their objectives.
Therefore, with thanks for their productive life, we are now retiring the Yahoo! group lists which were based on the Action Team structure. All members of any specific Action Group list have now been added to the main list serve. We will be posting overall updates at least twice monthly during Phase II, linking you to the latest draft proposals and activity reports from specific Work Groups. As always, we welcome feedback and ideas. Just Contact Us and your comments will be forwarded to all Work Group chairs.
New Members of Steering Committee
We welcome some new members to the Steering Committee. The next scheduled meetings of the Steering Committee for 2004 are June 10, September 16, and December 9.