An Action Plan: Addressing Mental Health and Substance Abuse Needs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
How Successful Would You Be If…. You took an I.Q. test in Chinese? You could only speak French and your Spanish-speaking family could only use rudimentary French at best? You had to explain a traumatic event to a counselor in Russian?
It’s A Matter of Communication Family School Friends Work Media
One Size Does Not Fit All
Swiss Cheese Anyone? CultureLanguage Vulnerable Targets for Abuse Social Isolation High Unemployment Incidental Learning
What Happens? Higher Rates Victims becoming Offenders Alcohol & Drug Abuse Recurring Relapses Suicides Higher Costs Longer Inpatient Hospitalizations Interactions with Law Enforcement Incarcerations Failure to Thrive
What does Equal Access look like?
An Anecdotal Experience
Mental Health Steering Committee: Who are we?
Our Vision People of all ages who are deaf, deaf blind or hard of hearing receive needed mental health and substance abuse services that result in recovery and optimal individual quality of life.
Our Objective Develop a strategic plan defining state-level goals that lead to sustained, aligned and collaborative cross-system partnerships, leadership and action among people who are deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing and multiple partners in the mental health and alcohol and substance abuse systems.
Action Plan Developing Useful Information Resources Addressing Licensing Issues Expanding Utilization of Tele-Health Seeking Financial Resources for Support Representation Opportunities on Key Boards, Councils & Committees Use of Technology to Increase Collaborative Partnership
Developing Information Resources Trainings & Tool Kits for Professionals and related staff Educating Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Deaf-Blind Communities What is mental health Resources available to those in need
Addressing Licensing Issues Barriers to Direct Service Providers Inter-State Reciprocity Supervised Hours Accommodations During Testing Challenges to Employment Telehealth Options Interpreters
Licensing Liability & Procedure Guidelines Infrastructure Locations & Equipment Providers Education Professionals Deaf, Deaf-Blind & Hard of Hearing Communitees Expanding Utilization of Tele-Health
Seeking Financial Resources for Support Identify Resource Needs Short Term Long Term Funding Sources Key Partners Develop Needs Assessment Document
Representation Opportunities on Key Boards, Councils & Committees Identify Boards,Councils, Taskforces, etc. Application Process Key Representatives Match Provide Support
Use of Technology to Increase Collaborative Partnership Website Resources Updates & Announcements Connecting with Committee ListServe
The Georgia Judgment Belton v. Georgia ( March 30, 2012 ) Plaintiffs assert Georgia Violated the ADA in four respects Lack of ASL-fluent mental health practitioners Failure to reimburse medical providers for interpreting services Failure to provide deaf-appropriate group home care settings Refusal to provide adequate funding for deaf services
The Current State of Accessible Mental Health Services in Wisconsin =
South Carolina Before State Program After State Program 11 People 260 People
How Can You Contribute? Information Contacts Sources of Funding Partners Guidance Questions?