Blunt appoints mental health working group

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Matt Blunt has organized a group, largely made up of state employees, to continue efforts to improve the state's mental health system.

The Mental Health Transformation Working Group will use a $14.2 million federal grant to create a comprehensive state mental health plan, with efforts at work force development, improving technology and training, among other things, the governor's office said Wednesday.

"This group will continue our ongoing efforts to enhance client safety and improve customer service within Missouri's mental health system," Blunt said in a written statement.

Several changes have been made in Missouri's mental health system in recent months.

The Department of Mental Health now must inform the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement of deaths or assaults in state- or privately run facilities, and all deaths must be reported to a coroner or medical examiner.

The department also has been charged with implementing a system to quickly track abuse information at facilities and training family members to help identify and report potential abuse or neglect.

In June, Blunt formed a task force to improve the state's mental health system after a St. Louis Post-Dispatch investigation found 21 deaths, 323 injuries and almost 2,000 other incidents tied to abuse or neglect by caregivers at mental health facilities from 2000 through 2005.

The 10 members of the working group include four employees of the Mental Health Department, two from Social Services, representatives of the departments of Corrections, Health and Senior Services, Public Safety, and a member of the Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis.

The chairwoman is Diane McFarland, 48, of St. Louis, director of comprehensive psychiatric services at the Mental Health Department.

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On the Net:

Blunt: http://www.gov.mo.gov