1. Behavioral Health Services Association
Business Plan Development

2. Timeline: DAODAS
Act 309: Formed in the 50’s, South Carolina Alcoholic Center develops Palmetto Center
South Carolina Alcoholic Center becomes South Carolina Commission on Alcoholism, an independent public health agency
1970 – Designated as “single state authority”
1974 – Formation of South Carolina Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SCCADA)
Act 265: Creation of DAODAS, a cabinet level department housed within the executive branch of state government and Jerry McCord as it’s first Director.

3. Timeline: BHSA I
1972 – Act 1063: Enabled per capita distribution of ¼ of mini-bottle tax revenue to counties
1973 – Act 301: Creation of County Authorities to plan the expenditure of revenue authorized under Act 1063
– “Parental” relationship with Jerry McCord- “Benevolent Dictator”. McCord did not encourage meetings amongst directors independent of those convened by DAODAS. Funding depended on relationship.

4. Timeline: BHSA II
– Directors met “semi-regularly” charged dues but no enforcement. Some directors did not think the organization was needed.
1995 – Election of David Beasley as Governor, “retirement” of Jerry McCord and Beverly Hamilton as new DAODAS director. Commissions were concerned re:
Dismantling of system by new Governor
Merger with mental health system
Potential Competition with for-profit providers

5. Timeline: BHSA III
1996 –BHS created as an independent association to respond to an environment deemed more threatening to the commissions and to employ lobbyists. Also used to develop revenue for agencies to reduce dependence on state government.
Employee Assistance Programs – BHS as clearinghouse with standardized rates. Later split off and became Palmetto EAP.
Insurance Policies – BHS sold policies to employers that included coverage for addiction treatment.

6. Timeline: BHSA IV
Election of Mark Sanford of Governor and Lee Catoe as DAODAS director.
2005 – Development of By-Laws and a Policy and Procedure Manual as part of plan to acquire non-profit status. DAODAS perceived as “doing less” while BHSA takes on more.
2005 – 2011 – Directors of long tenure begin retiring. Continued discussion of role and authority of BHSA with about 60% of Commissions attending regularly.

7. BHSA Current Functions I
Lobbying / Advocacy: Contracts with Capitol Consultants for lobbying, education and liaison services with legislators
Training: Board Seminar, KIS User’s Group
Purchasing/Contracting: BHSA contracts with APS (state health plan) and CBA to provide alcohol and drug abuse services to those with these carriers. BHSA also has the ability to purchase items for the commissions using a volume discount for DVDs, posters, other trainings, etc.

8. BHSA Current Functions II
National Representation: Member of the State Association of Addiction Services- SAAS provides information to the states and represents the interests of the state on a national level with the assistance of the Legal Action Center
State / Local Representation: BHSA represents the field on various councils and organizations by way of the Executive Director and President. These include Impaired Driving Prevention Council, Governor’s Council, Joint Council, SAMI. BHSA is also represented by it’s standing committees.

9. Issues/Market Forces
Membership: Closed and Voluntary. Values largely shared but history of commission independence. Status of each commission effects all. Need scan on all members.
Emergence of Private Providers: Always a factor but changes in SPA and need for lower rates will encourage more competition.
Government:
Restructuring- recurring since the early 90’s
Federal Block Grant- greatly reduced under reform
State Funding- Indefinite continuation of budget reduction
Contracting with other providers- As in North Carolina
State Plan Amendment- As above

10. Increasing Value I Goods: Services:
Bulk buying: such things as computer hardware, office equipment, drug testing- anywhere a “volume discount” would be practical.
Data Warehouse: Provide centralized storage and backup of data generated by commissions
Services:
General Counsel- Single law firm engaged by BHSA for commission legal issues and representation
Auditor- Single auditing firm to do audits for all commissions
Public Relations/Marketing: Statewide Marketing Campaign- BHSA ads marketing 301 system placed statewide

11. Increasing Value II Infrastructure:
IT Support- Provide IT services to commissions at an hourly rate. Negotiate contracts/agreements with KIS.
Infrastructure:
Member Code of Ethics- Most professional associations have one, i.e., expected conduct of member agencies
Make membership DAODAS contractual requirement- Currently all are members but nothing in contract.
Sanction authority/Peer Review- Create a peer driven means of resolving conflict that effects the reputation of the system.