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The last
six months have been very frustrating for Brad Hedges, executive director
at Mid-Ohio Psychological Services, one of six contracting agencies for
the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.
"We have
definitely made some cuts," Hedges said.
The
agency is primarily Medicaid-funded and billed $860,053 in Medicaid last
fiscal year, up from $352,129 in FY 2002.
After
the levy defeat in November, the agency had to cut its sex offender and
anger management programs, two non-Medicaid programs.
There
have already been repercussions, Hedges said.
"I
already know of one case, of a guy who was in a program that was cut,"
Hedges said. "He has two additional victims and I was called about
programs for him, but there are no programs. It's a terrible 'I told you
so,' because now there are two victims out there who will need services.
Had we taken resources and helped that person, we wouldn't have these two
victims. The last six months have been frustrating."
More
cuts
The
agency has a $1.6 million budget, serves 80 to 90 clients a month and
provides 40 percent of services outside of the county to people who are
still residents, but live elsewhere.
"We're
being flooded with clients," Hedges said. "We're getting people from other
agencies, who've also had to cut back funding. Our existing funding is
being spread more thinner because we have to serve those people."
No
raises have been given to employees and there's a hiring freeze.
"(Now)
we're cutting back on the volume of services to the jail -- for people
having mental health crisis -- by 20 percent," Hedges said. "This will
have significant impact as far as the community safety and jail safety. In
general, it will be more unstable -- this is certainly a large concern."
In
addition, a jail diversion program may be have to be cut in nine months.
"This
program is for mentally ill people who get in trouble," Hedges said. "We
have case management, so they don't end up in jail. This may be the guy
who hangs out at the hospital and doesn't need to be put in jail but needs
some help, they need appropriate activities and programs, so that they're
safe for themselves and the community."
However,
funding may run out for that program.
"We
anticipate that program will run out or be partially shut down because of
funding," Hedges said. "The people we try to keep out of jail will end up
with fewer services and those in jail with no services."
"We're
seeing very clearly problems for the forensic population," Hedges said.
"If we're not addressing the mental health needs of that population, the
public will see it more. They'll be wandering the streets more engaging in
nuisance crimes, because of their illness, including those people in jail,
acting out because they're not receiving services."
The
Lighthouse
This
agency serves 1,200 clients a year through various programs targeted
mainly at domestic violence victims.
"We
haven't had to turn people away at this point but if we have further cuts,
we may have to," said Suzanne Pelliter-Walker, executive director of The
Lighthouse. "It's my intention not to turn anyone away, because people
won't be able to pay for it and are unable to find someone to supplement
it."
Instead,
the agency, whose budget has been reduced by $17,124 since the levy
failure, has found other ways to cut back.
"We had
two jobs through attrition we didn't replace because of cuts," Pelliter-Walker
said. "Our sexual assault prevention program is on hold. We lost all of
our funding for that and don't know from one contract period to the next
what will happen next."
The
agency depends of ADAMH for a third of their funding, which pays for
counseling services for victims and their kids.
Medicaid
billing accounts for 47 percent of the agency's budget. The levy pays for
the other 53 percent or non-Medicaid services.
In 2003,
the agency billed $118,877 in Medicaid, up from $80,120 in 2002.
"Our
grant services are drying up too," Pelliter-Walker said. "The state
government is cutting a lot. We really need the community's help for
battered women and their kids. I don't know who's going to help them if we
don't."
Fairfield Mental Health Consumer Group / Our Place
This
contracting agency is the only one who doesn't bill for Medicaid services.
"We get
some state money but we're primarily funded through the levy," said Janet
Galligan, executive director of the agency. "My fear is as Medicaid costs
go up, there will be less discretionary dollars to be spent and that would
definitely cut into our budget."
The
agency served 214 consumers last year and provides a combination of
education, support groups, recreational services, peer support and peer
line services.
Their
budget has been reduced by $46,387 in the last year.
In
response to this, the agency's consumer board voted to get rid of their
van, which costs $15,000 to operate last year; and let go of one part-time
staff position.
"With
the van, we picked up people and took them to all of the activities at Our
Place and other activities," Galligan said. "Now people have to get here
on their own. Group operators bring them, they walk or car pool. It's
harder for people in smaller villages to get here and makes it more
difficult, because it may be too far to walk for some and the cost of a
cab is prohibitive."
Reductions at New Horizons, another contracting agency has directly
affected key services at Our Place. Because of reductions, New Horizons
clinicians -- who come to see people who call into Fairfield Medical
Center -- will no longer be able to take emotional support telephone calls
for those who just need someone to talk to but aren't in acute crisis.
"Our
folks have noone to call in the off hours for emergency services at FMC,
whereas before they could call the emergency services," Galligan said.
To
combat this, the agency has written a grant to United Way to fund a listen
line.
"Some
people are just calling for reassurance because they wake up in the middle
of the night after having a nightmare and need someone to talk to,"
Galligan said. "Or they may just need someone to talk to. They need
someone they can call 27/7. We need to make sure they have that
reassurance."
If there
isn't anyone there, things can escalate and someone may end up going to
the emergency room when they don't need to be there, Galligan said.
"This
fills the emergency room with people who shouldn't be there," she said.
"An ounce of prevention is an ounce of care. If someone is there to talk
to them on the phones, it saves a lot of money for the system."
Originally published Monday, August 11, 2003 |
