The MMHAG Road Map, while still very much a discussion draft, is now available here. The Road Map shows how far we’ve come and where we’re going. System problems have been defined, and top ten action priorities identified. Outcomes have been discussed through Consumer Forums. Strategies, identified by the Action Teams, are being pursued by Work Groups. Draft deliverables for each Work Group have been identified and, indeed, many have been accomplished already.
Draft commitments have been sketched out for each area. Specific roles for government, consumers, providers and professionals, health plans, and consumers and advocates still must be fleshed out in service to these commitments. That is, we’re getting close to determining who should be responsible for doing what in the process of changing Minnesota’s mental health system for the better. The next few weeks will be busy ones for Work Groups and other stakeholders as they prepare a variety of materials for discussion. The Steering Committee will review all submitted draft commitments and progress reports when it meets next on December 9th.
Positive Restructuring at the State
Leading the way quite tangibly, Kevin Goodno, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services and MMHAG Co-Chair, has just created and filled a new position: The first Assistant Commissioner for Chemical and Mental Health Services is Wes Kooistra. The areas reporting directly to the new Assistant Commissioner are Children’s Mental Health, Adult Mental Health, Chemical Health, and State Operated Services. Chemical and Mental Health Services have been identified as a priority for the State of Minnesota.
MMHAG at MACMHP
MMHAG’s co-chairs, Kevin Goodno, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, and former Citizens League Board Chair Gary Cunningham, presented a keynote address on MMHAG at the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs (MACMHP) annual conference on September 30th. After the keynote address, the co-chairs and several other members of MMHAG's Steering Committee participated in an in-depth breakout session during which the Road Map was presented, and a lively question and answer session ensued.
Earlier Intervention/Secondary Prevention
Read the September summaries from the six Work Groups borne of the Earlier Intervention/Secondary Prevention Action Team.