June 19, 2006

State Regulation of Residential Facilities for Adults with Mental Illness

Henry Ireys, Lori Achman, and Ama Takyi state in this brief that there is little national information on the policies and procedures used by States to regulate residential treatment facilities for adults with mental illness. As a result, policymakers and program administrators face major difficulties in determining both the effectiveness of current policies and the potential need for new policies that are responsive to emerging trends in mental health care. Based on a survey of State officials, this report provides the most accurate national data available concerning methods that States use to license, regulate, and monitor residential facilities for adults with mental illness. The information in this report can help Federal and State policymakers improve procedures for monitoring quality of care provided in these facilities. The specific purpose of this study was to conduct a national survey of State officials to identify methods that States use to monitor residential facilities for adults with mental illness.