SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

State and national attention focused on the unique needs of individuals with a co-existing developmental disability and psychiatric disability has been increasing over the past several years. While the identification of co-existing disabilities among our State's population is not new, several factors, such as continuing deinstitutionalization, have pressed the need for innovative public policy and a better understanding of the service needs presented by persons who are dually diagnosed.

Despite this growing attention, data regarding the prevalence of mental illness among persons with a developmental disability varies widely. Incidence rates ranging from 10% to 40% have been cited by researchers over recent years. Exact prevalence figures may not exist but it appears evident that the complexity of the needs presented by persons with dual disabilities poses a multitude of challenges to New York's mental hygiene service delivery system. For example, distinct state agency funding, regulatory and administrative responsibilities may impede the inter-agency collaboration and coordination necessary to develop comprehensive treatment strategies. Left inadequately treated, the co-existence of a developmental and psychiatric disability can unnecessarily and severely impact an individual's quality of life.

Accordingly, the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the New York State Task Force on People with Disabilities are seeking testimony from stakeholders to assess the needs of New Yorkers diagnosed with both a developmental disability and a psychiatric disability. The Committee and the Task Force are interested in determining if current services are meeting those needs and in evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies employed by the State to support individuals living with a dual diagnosis.

Please see below for a list of subjects to which witnesses may wish to direct their testimony. Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee and the Task Force at the above hearing should complete and return the reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

SELECTED ISSUES TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:

1. What is the estimated population of New Yorkers with dual disabilities?

2. What role do the following agencies play in providing services to persons who are dually diagnosed: Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), and the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQCAPD)? How are these and other agencies collaborating in the planning, coordination and delivery of services to this population? Is the State effectively encouraging interagency collaboration and coordination on the local level?

3. Are there sufficient and appropriate diagnostic, clinical and psychiatric services available to persons with developmental disabilities? Does New York maintain an adequately trained workforce to screen, assess, and develop integrated treatment plans for persons with dual disabilities? What measures should the State implement to foster the availability of such workforce and services?

4. The lack of effective crisis response capacity has been cited as a barrier to ensuring effective services to persons with co-existing conditions. What emergency intervention programs exist on the local and state level to ensure access to crisis support for dually diagnosed individuals?

5. What state-supported inpatient facilities and community-based residential programs exist for persons who have been dually diagnosed?

6. What other barriers exist in New York State that may impede the delivery of comprehensive treatment and services to persons with dual disabilities? What steps should the State take to ensure that persons with dual disabilities have access to and are receiving appropriate services?

7. What is the rate of prevalence of persons with dual disabilities in the criminal justice system? Do incarcerated persons who are dually diagnosed receive appropriate treatment and services?

8. What are the implications of the current state funding streams on service delivery for persons with a dual diagnosis?

9. What are the components necessary for effective treatment? Are there examples of current model residential and day programs in New York State or elsewhere?

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to:

Jennifer Best
Committee Assistant
Assembly Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Room 522, Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
Email: bestj@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4371
Fax: (518) 455-4693

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

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