Mental Health and Disability Services: Final Report, January 2013

(2013) Mental Health and Disability Services: Final Report, January 2013. Public Health, Department of (Health and Human Services, Department of)

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Abstract

The Iowa 2012 General Assembly charged the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) with creating a mental health and disabilities group to make workforce recommendations in support of services to Iowans (2012 Iowa Acts, Chapter 1120, Section 24). The effort is complementary to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Mental Health Redesign Initiative that has been underway since 2010. Workforce supply is a critical element of service capacity. The Mental Health and Disabilities Workforce Workgroup met over eight months to hear from providers and other stakeholders involved in the mental health and disability communities to address potential deficits and needs of the available and anticipated workforce. Because licensed professionals are the necessary base for the service delivery system, and because they often have lengthy education and training processes that precede their joining the workforce, the Workgroup chose to focus discussion on licensed professionals. Though the focus was on licensed professionals, it was clearly understood that non-licensed staff, peer advocates and direct care workers are important members of the mental health and disability team. A progress report was submitted to the legislature on December 13, 2012 and is available by clicking here. The Workgroup continued its deliberations in the spring and summer of 2013 and present the following recommendations for consideration.