Forum on Mental Health Policy in Lansing: March 25th, 2009, 5 - 7:30 p.m.

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) will hold a forum on policy for mental health services for people with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance abuse, and serious emotional disturbance. The forum will have two parts: the first will focus on the role that consumers, families, and advocates will play in the "Application for Renewal and Recommitment" process and the "Program Policy Guidelines". The second part will focus on the renewal of Michigan's 1915(b) Medicaid waiver. The state's application for this waiver is due June 30, 2009.

The notice for the forum gives complete information on where and when the forum will be held.

If you do not have the foggiest idea what the ARR, PPG, or the 1915(b) waiver are, you are not alone. Although this forum is specifically for consumers, families, and advocates, it appears to be aimed at the usual advocacy and consumer groups that have the resources and time to show up at meetings in Lansing. Which is exactly why ordinary people who use mental health services and their families should make an effort to go or at least to stay in touch with someone who will be there to find out what the state is up to.

At the MDCH Website, you can access some of the documents that will be the subject of the meeting.

The State has adopted a philosophical approach that holds that every consumer, including people with the most severe developmental disabilities, can and should live independently, work at a "real" job, and be totally integrated into the community with individual supports. Group homes, day programs, and other disability-only programs are considered to be segregated and therefore unacceptable, although there is nothing illegal or immoral about providing these programs to people who need them. Indeed, appropriate services and placements, including those that are "disability-only", are rights under the federal Developmental Disabilities Act. Many advocacy groups philosophically agree with the MDCH and provide cover for the state as they work to eliminate and narrow available options for people with disabilities.

Want to know more? Then you have to participate and make your voice heard.