§3004. Community Support Systems

1.  Definition.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the term "community support system" means the entire complex of mental health, rehabilitative, residential and other support services in the community to ensure community integration and the maintenance of a decent quality of life for persons with chronic mental illness.

[PL 1983, c. 580, §6 (NEW).]

2.  General policy.  The department shall develop programs to:

A. Promote and support the development and implementation of comprehensive community support systems to ensure community integration and the maintenance of a decent quality of life for persons with chronic mental illness in each of the mental health service areas in the State; and   [PL 1983, c. 580, §6 (NEW).]

B. Strengthen the capacity of families, natural networks, self-help groups and other community resources in order to improve the support for persons with chronic mental illness.   [PL 1983, c. 580, §6 (NEW).]

[PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, §33 (AMD).]

3.  Duties.  The department shall:

A. Provide technical assistance for program development, promote effective coordination with health and other human services and develop new resources in order to improve the availability and accessibility of comprehensive community support services to persons with chronic mental illness;   [PL 1983, c. 580, §6 (NEW).]

B. Assess service needs, monitor service delivery related to these needs and evaluate the outcome of programs designed to meet these needs in order to enhance the quality and effectiveness of community support services;   [PL 1985, c. 768, §4 (AMD).]

C. Prepare a report that describes the system of community support services in each of the mental health service regions and statewide.

(1) The report must include both existing service resources and deficiencies in the system of services.

(2) The report must include an assessment of the roles and responsibilities of mental health agencies, human services agencies, health agencies and involved state departments and must suggest ways in which these agencies and departments can better cooperate to improve the service system for people with chronic mental illness.

(3) The report must be prepared biennially and must be submitted to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over human resources by December 15th of every even-numbered year.

(4) The committee shall review the report and make recommendations with respect to administrative and funding improvements in the system of community support services to persons with chronic mental illness; and   [PL 1995, c. 560, Pt. K, §33 (AMD).]

D. Participate with school administrative units in transition planning for each student with chronic mental illnesses who is receiving special education services and who is 16 years of age or older, or 14 years of age if determined appropriate by the student's individualized education program team, and shall assign appropriate staff as a transition contact person and as a member of the transition planning team for each student.   [PL 2011, c. 348, §9 (AMD).]

[PL 2011, c. 348, §9 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1983, c. 580, §6 (NEW). PL 1985, c. 768, §§4,5 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 404, §1 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 410, §CCC18 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 560, §K33 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 147, §12 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 348, §9 (AMD).