STATE OF ALABAMA
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
AND MENTAL RETARDATION
RSA UNION BUILDING
100 N. UNION STREET
POST OFFICE BOX 301410
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36130-1410



MEMORANDUM

TO: DMH/MR Employees

FROM: Kathy E. Sawyer, Commissioner

DATE: August 15, 2003

RE: Consolidation/Closure of DMH/MR Facilities

I am pleased to announce that today Governor Bob Riley informed of his
decision regarding the consolidation/closure of DMH/MR facilities.
After a very careful review of the department's plan, alternative
recommendations, meetings with stakeholders, as well as, tours of
facilities and community programs, Governor Riley has approved plans to
consolidate/close some of the DMH/MR state facilities. There were two
revisions to the original proposal: (1) the S. D. Allen Nursing Home
will be closed and consolidated into the Alice Kidd Nursing Home and (2)
MR Crisis/Evaluation Centers will be established in each vacated MR
facility, along with the MR Regional Community Services Office for that
area.

After reviewing the continuing decline in the patient census of our
nursing homes, it was felt impractical to attempt to maintain S. D.
Allen as a separate nursing home. The Allen patients can be readily
served by the Kidd nursing home, which will be relocated on the campus
of Bryce Hospital. In regard to MR changes, it was felt the
crisis/evaluation centers (non-residential) could provide the community
with specialized medical and behavioral services i.e. dental, medical,
behavior management, and psychiatric that may not be available in many
rural areas of our state, as well as provide certification, monitoring,
and oversight of community programs. This would provide the community
system a much needed safety net for these specialized services.
Implementation plans will begin immediately; starting with the nursing
homes, then followed by the MR Developmental Centers and the Thomasville
Center. The Workforce Transition Plan will begin within the next week
to assist with the transition of our employees. It is projected that
the consolidation/closure plan will be completed no later than March
2004. Please know that we remain committed to helping identify
employment opportunities for all employees and will work with each
employee individually to ensure a successful transition.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me. For
more details of the plan, you can visit our website at
www.mh.state.al.us.

Thank you again for your dedication and support of this department and
all of Alabama's citizens we serve.

KES/bs




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