Texas Youth Commission Unable to Make Sweeping Changes Recommended by Task Force
On September 13, 2007, the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) said that it would be unable to adopt many of the recommendations of a task force convened in May 2007 to reform the system.   Full Story

Ohio Legislature Considering Changes to Ohio Foster Care system
The Ohio Legislature is considering changes to the state’s foster care system to increase foster parent background reporting and foster parent training hours from 24 to 36.   Full Story

Survey Shows Washington State Foster Care System Meets Needs of Caregivers & Children, Despite Some Faults
In 2006, 86% of children in the Washington State foster care system who needed mental health services received them, and 75% of their caregivers received adequate support according to a recent benchmarking survey.   Full Story

Ohio Non-Profits Bellefaire JCB & Applewood Considering Partnership
Two Ohio non-profit organizations, Bellefaire JCB and Applewood Centers Inc. of Cleveland, are considering the feasibility of a partnership between the two organizations.  Full Story

APS Healthcare Selected to Provide ASO Services for Maine DHHS
On September 28, 2007, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) concluded contract negotiations with APS HealthCare, Inc., (APS) to administer behavioral heath services in the state.  Full Story

Washington DSHS to Assume Payment for Mental Health Services in Pierce County on January 1, 2008
Beginning in January 2008, the Washington State Department Social and Health Services (DSHS) will take over payment processing for mental health services in Pierce County.  Full Story

Netherlands Approves Seroquel for Acute & Long-Term Schizophrenia Treatment
AstraZeneca announced that the Netherlands approved the use of Seroquel XR™ extended release tablets for acute and long-term treatment of schizophrenia.   Full Story

North Carolina DHHS Expands Bensinger, DuPont, & Associates Problem Gambling Helpline Services to Include Payment & Treatment Authorization
In September 2007, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Problem Gambling Program (PGP) expanded Bensinger, DuPont, & Associates (BDA) contract operations of the state’s PGP telephone helpline services to include payment and treatment authorizations.   Full Story

Youth Office Visits Due to Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Increasing: 1,003 Visits in 2003, Only 25 in 1995
In 2002 to 2003, the number of office visits due to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in youth was estimated at 1,003 such visits per 100,000 youth; in 1994 to 1995 about 25 visits per 100,000 youth took place.  Full Story

Only 32% of Estimated 2.4 Million American Children With ADHD Receive Consistent Medication Treatment
Nearly 2.4 million, 9% of all children in the United States between the ages of 8 and 15 are estimated to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but only 32% consistently receive medication for the disorder.   Full Story

North Carolina Establishes Facility to Treat Individuals With Complex Medical/Cognitive Disorders
On September 27, 2007, North Carolina’s Black Mountain Center officially became the Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center; the name change reflects the facility’s designation as a new class of facility to provide medical, mental health, and developmental services to adults with multiple neuro-cognitive and medical needs.  Full Story

Massachusetts Launches Three-Year Pilot Program for Home & Community-Based Autism Services
On September 20, 2007, the State of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) and the state Office of Medicaid launched a three-year pilot program to provide expanded home- and community-based services to low-income children with autism.  Full Story

Mental Health Court Reduces Recidivism & Violence
Participation in a mental health court program was found to be associated with longer time without any new criminal charges or new charges for violent crimes among persons with mental disorders.   Full Story

Medical Development International Files Claim Against California Prisons’ Receiver
On September 25, 2007, the California Government Claims Board rejected a claim filed by Medical Development International (MDI) against the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the federally-appointed Prisons Health Care Receiver, Robert Sillen, for payment for contract services provided between September 2006 and April 2007.  Full Story

Dallas Starts “Operation Rescue” to Move Homeless Individuals to Shelters or Treatment
On September 13, 2007, the City of Dallas, Texas began urging homeless individuals in the city’s downtown area to seek shelter or mental health/substance abuse treatment.  Full Story

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University of Texas Survey Explores Trends in Long-Term Care for U.S. Retirees in Mexico
As the estimated 40,000 to 80,000 American retirees living in Mexico become ill or disabled, most will return to the United States to receive long-term care; only about one-fourth will seek long-term care options in Mexico, foregoing their U.S. Medicare benefits.   Full Story

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I-trax/ CHD Meridian Healthcare Opens Six New Workplace-Based Health Care Centers
On September 20, 2007, I-trax/ CHD Meridian Healthcare announced that it has opened six new workplace-based health care centers since June 2007. Full Story

North Carolina State Health Plan Selects SHPS Inc., to Provide Chronic Disease Management for State Employees
On September 18, 2007, the North Carolina State Health Plan announced that effective September 1, 2007, SHPS, Inc., will provide expanded, intensive case management services for state employees with complex medical needs.  Full Story

Molina to Buy Mercy CarePlus
On September 7, 2007, Molina Healthcare Inc. announced it plans to buy Mercy CarePlus for about $74 million.  Full Story

Federal Farm Bill Provision May Jinx Indiana Plans to Modernize Welfare Benefit Applications
A provision in the federal farm bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2007, may force the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to cancel contracts with IBM, Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., and others, to modernize the state’s welfare benefits application system.  Full Story

Tim Sellers Named Executive Director Following Jim Sikkema’s Retirement From Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare;
On August 31, 2007, Blue Ridge Behavioral Health named Tim Sellers as executive director following Jim Sikkema’s retirement.  Full Story

New Directors Appointed at North Dakota Human Service Centers Following Lynn Nelson’s Retirement
On July 31, 2007, Candace Fuglesten, the current director of the Southeast Human Service Center (HSC), will now also be the director of the South Central HSC and Kate Kenna, current director of the Northeast HSC will take over the Lake Region HSC.   Full Story

Chris Carson, M.D., Named CEO for Magellan of Arizona
On September 13, 2007, Magellan Health Services, Inc., announced that Magellan of Arizona’s chief medical officer (CMO), Chris Carson, M.D., will be chief executive officer of the division  Full Story

Sarasota YMCA Foster Care Program Director, Lee Johnson, Resigns
On September 10, 2007, the Sarasota YMCA foster care program director, Lee Johnson, said he intended to resign as executive vice president on December 10, 2007.   Full Story

Dr. Kate Lyon Appointed as Florida DCF Director of Mental Health
On August 30, 2007, Kate Lyon, Ph.D., was appointed as director of Mental Health at the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).  Full Story

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