Media Advisory

Contact:  Communications@thenationalcouncil.org or 301.984.6200, ext. 228.

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare holds a Congressional briefing on Tuesday, March 18 to examine how two states, Arkansas and Colorado, gather data to measure the effectiveness of their mental health programs. 

Background
In the early 1980s, Congress rolled most direct federal discretionary spending on community-based mental health services, including funding for Community Mental Health Centers, into block grants. The policy led to a radical reduction in data available to track the success of public sector mental health programs.

By the early 1990s, it became impossible to answer basics questions like:

• How many people with schizophrenia are served in state mental health systems?
• What types of services are typically furnished to children with serious mental and emotional disturbances?

That’s why the Arkansas and Colorado experiences are so unique. The mental health providers in these states took the initiative to gather some of the most highly detailed public mental health care data available anywhere in America.

WHO:  National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. Panelists include:

• Linda Rosenberg, President & CEO, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
• Kenny Whitlock, Executive Director, Mental Health Council of Arkansas
• John Althoff, Deputy Director, Division of Behavioral Health Services, State of Arkansas Department of Human Services
• George DelGrosso, Executive Director, Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council
• David Lloyd, President, MTM Services, LLC

Sponsors:

• Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln (AR)
• Senator Ken Salazar (CO)
  

WHAT: Mental Health Congressional Briefing

WHERE: 902 Hart Senate Office Building

WHEN: Tuesday, March 18, 9:30 AM                                               

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,400 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives.