FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---JULY 2, 2003
Commissioner Delivers Plan And Alternate Proposals To The Governor
Montgomery---Commissioner Kathy Sawyer delivered her recommendations for
consolidation and closure of some of the state's mental health
facilities to the Governor on Tuesday, July 1, 2003. Along with a copy
of her plan, she included alternate proposals from other interested
parties. "I wanted to give the Governor an unfiltered version of my
recommendations and an unfiltered version of alternate plans so that he
could get a complete picture," said Sawyer. In May the Commissioner
conducted a series of "Town Meetings" at every facility affected by the
plan. "I promised those in attendance that I would present their ideas
and recommendations to the Governor and that's what I have done," Sawyer
exclaimed. "The Governor will review the documents and meet with Sawyer
when he returns to Montgomery. No decision will be made until he and the
Commissioner have had the time to meet and discuss both sets of
recommendations," said John Ziegler, Director of Public Information for
the Department of Mental Health.
"The Commissioner's plan is a capstone for the overall success that
Alabama has achieved in developing a high quality network of
community-based mental health services," said former Commissioner, Glen
Ireland (DMH/MR Commissioner 1978-1982). "Even in the early 80's we knew
that the day would come when we would no longer need so many state
institutions," said Ireland.
The Arc of Alabama, a national advocacy organization for persons with
mental retardation adamantly supports the Commissioner's plan. Recently
they wrote, "the consolidation plan will avail monies to the majority of
the population with mental retardation who are waiting for community
services." Currently, there are over 2,000 people on the mental
retardation waiting list to receive community services.
The Alabama mental health system has in many ways served as a pacesetter
for other mental health systems across the country. This is particularly
true with respect to the movement of individuals from state institutions
to quality community-based care. Thirty years ago Alabama mental health
system facilities were serving large populations in institutional care
on numerous campuses across the state. With over 95% of our clients now
being served in the community, there is no longer the need for as many
expensive institutional campuses. For example, in the early 70's Bryce
Hospital in Tuscaloosa had over 5,000 patients. Today there are fewer
than 350 patients at Bryce. Also, in the early 70's there were over
2,000 individuals with mental retardation at Partlow Developmental
Center in Tuscaloosa. Today there are less than 150 people served at
Partlow.
The Commissioner's plan proposes consolidation of 7 of the state's 14
mental health facilities but leaves an adequate number of institutions
for those individuals who may require or may desire to be cared for in
institutional settings. A further component of the plan is a
comprehensive process and plan for employment opportunities for those
employees affected by the consolidation plan. Finally, the plan includes
alternative state uses for mental health facilities that would be
closed. This would lessen the economic impact on communities.
An email copy of the plan and alternate proposals may be obtained by
calling the Public Information Office (334) 242-3417. In the near
future, copies may be seen on the DMH/MR website www.mh.state.al.us.


____________________________________
Steve Hamerdinger
Director, Office of Deaf Services
ALDMHMR
100 North Union, Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 353-4301 (TTY)
(334) 242-3643 (Voice)



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