State Advocacy Psychiatric Hospital Closure Protecting Community Reinvestment Lora Thomas, Executive Director NAMI Illinois Seattle, WA June 27, 2012

State Advocacy 2 The Challenge Governor Quinn: Close two state psychiatric facilities –Singer: Longer term care –Tinley Park: Acute care FY2013 budget -5 straight years of cuts –DMH budget cut $183M GF (31.7%) since 2009 –FY2013: Additional $53M proposed cut (40%) –Plus $2.7B Medicaid reduction

State Advocacy Advocacy Strategy Legal complaint filed by MHAI, NAMI IL & allies –IL law requires complete reinvestment –State proposes to reinvest only $9.8M of $20.1M projected savings Petitions: “MH disproportionately cut for YEARS” –Over 7,000 signatures –Hand delivered to Governor and every appropriations committee member Over 30 packets

State Advocacy Current Status Singer closing delayed –Privatization plan scrapped Tinley Park closing 7/1, –Training for acute community services not started –Plan for reinvestment has JUST been submitted –Most $$ for emergency room capacity, not enough for other services.

State Advocacy Community Reinvestment Strategy Community Services Plan –NAMI, state and local, working with community providers –To understand contract limitations, systems, referrals –Prepared to identify gaps going forward Monitor Outcomes: Baseline, 6, 12, 18 months –Access –Consumer perception of care –Admission, readmission rates –Emergency department wait times –Transportation response time –Deflection rates

State Advocacy Decision Makers: LUCK! DMH director (unresponsive) going on sabbatical Human Services secretary more sympathetic –Coalition prepared, made the case! –Secretary had not realized extent & effect of cuts Supportive legislators emphasized need

State Advocacy What is working? Broad, engaged coalition Kept up pressure on all fronts Effectively told story – media coverage Prepared for unexpected opportunity –Ready with talking points/data when access opened to Human Services secretary –Champions in legislature to reinforce

State Advocacy Hopeful Signs FY2013, 1.92% DMH budget increase –After 5 straight years of cuts Hospitals –Singer closure, further delays likely –Tinley Park, stakeholders engaged in community reinvestment plan

State Advocacy Interest Group Invitation Ensuring acute and long term care reinvestment in wake of state hospital closure Discussion questions: –What pressure points – opportunities and pitfalls – should NAMI leaders be aware of? –What effective strategies can be used to strengthen inpatient and outpatient capacity? –What best practices exist? Where are they?

State Advocacy 10 Resources and/or Contact Info: Lora Thomas, Executive Director, NAMI Illinois (217)