Other Mental Health Funding

	The Issue	The Latest Scoop	Action Steps	Lead Contacts	More Information

The Issue

In 1997 the Governor accepted the final report and recommendations of his Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health (BRC). This report provided the vision and blueprint for a redesigned public mental health system that is based on the belief that recovery is possible for persons with mental illness. The report further envisions a system that is driven by consumer outcomes, administered with significant involvement from mental health consumers and their family members, and provides services based on the needs of the individual.

The Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) has begun implementation of these recommendations in a variety of ways: through development of mental health/alcohol and other drug abuse (MH/AODA) managed care demonstrations; through the expansion of integrated or "wraparound" services for children with serious emotional disturbances and through the awarding of grants to incorporate recovery principles and prevention/early intervention into the public mental health system.

The Wisconsin Council on Mental Health is charged with making recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on mental health funding and policy. In February 2003, within it's statutory authority the Council issued a "state of the state" report on mental health services: Building on a Strong Foundation. This report provided an overview of key issues and trends impacting Wisconsin's mental health system and provided recommendations in a variety of areas.

The following groups were involved in the development of this report through the Council's Legislative and Policy Committee:

• NAMI Wisconsin (http://www.namiwisconsin.org/)
• Mental Health Association in Milwaukee County (www.mhamilw.org)
• Wisconsin Family Ties (www.wifamilyties.org)
• Grassroots Empowerment Project
• Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy (http://www.w-c-a.org/)

The Latest Scoop (Updated: 08/18/2008)

The state 2005-2007 biennial budget has been passed by the Assembly and Senate and Governor Doyle has issued his veto message. For more information on the budget as modified by the Governor’s vetoes, see the Status of Mental Health Budget Priorities.

Action Steps

1. None at this time.

Lead Contacts

Shel Gross
Director of Public Policy
Mental Health Association in Milwaukee County
133 S. Butler St., LL
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-250-4368
Fax: 608-442-7907
Email: shelgross@tds.net

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More Information

• Issue alerts:
  
  
• Plain Talk
  
  
• Advocacy Resources:
  
  
• Background Papers:
  1. Talking points
     - Comprehensive Community Services
     - Mental Illness waiver
     - Access to medications
     - SSI Managed Care [Short version] [Long version ]
• Fiscal Information:
  
  
• Stories of Wisconsin's citizens with disabilities:
  
  
• Links to relevant disability information:
  
  
• Fiscal Information:
  
  
• Links to relevant disability information: