Effects of Mental Health Reform

Written by Julia M., CFAC member

Many states across the county, including North Carolina, are going through mental health reform. Simply put, the mental health system everywhere is doing away with its fragmented policies on services, closing institutions and moving to community services.

Mike Moseley, the State Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, stated at the Cumberland Mental Health Area Board meeting on September 1, 2004 “The Mental Health System will be more person centered: catering to the needs of the client… not the client focusing on the mental health policies. The Mental Health system before did not reach out enough to clients. The Legislature, in response to an out cry from the public for quality services and for needs to be addressed in a proper way, mandated a reform in mental health in 2001. In this reform some services will be eliminated, some combined and some will be new. Yet in spite of all of our best efforts some people will still slip between the cracks.

The focus of the reform is to reduce costs and create more accountability of services. Within the reform, the Legislators mandated that all public mental health departments become the Local Management Entity or LME in their area. They are to work to develop other providers from the community for needed services and transition services to these providers.” (Information attributed to Mike Moseley is paraphrased by Julia based on notes from his presentation)

Along with the LME a committee was formed known as the Consumer Family Advisory Committee or CFAC. This committee consists of people who are consumers of services and family members of those who use services with all members advocating for those with disabilities.

CFAC is the tool that will be used to reach out to all persons with mental illness, substance abuse problems or a developmental disability. CFAC meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Executive Place Building (711 Executive Place) in Fayetteville, N.C.

CFAC wants everyone and anyone that needs services to please contact one of them with whatever the problems are that the person may be facing. CFAC is there to advocate for all people. We are soliciting your help in getting quality services for the mentally ill or substance abuser or help with any issues that may be of concern for the prospective client. Don’t let negative stigma keep you from the help that you should get and deserve.

CFAC has a web site through the local LME. So, if you have any questions, please feel free to browse the internet and find out some answers. Let us help you!