ADHS
News Release:
 |
 |
| Release: |
Groundbreaking Pact Will Lead To Reform of Mental Health Services In Maricopa County |
|
| Release
Date: |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
Dec. 15, 2004 |
|
| Contact: |
Michael Murphy, ADHS Public Information: (602) 542-1094 |
|
|
|
More than 17,000 people with serious mental illness in Maricopa County will benefit from a historic agreement in a 25-year-old class action lawsuit, Arnold vs. Sarn, announced today by Arizona Department of Health Services Director Catherine Eden.
“This agreement is groundbreaking,” said Eden. “It sets forth a workable plan to finally end a costly and long-standing legal battle, but more importantly, it ensures people with mental illness in Maricopa County will receive the services they deserve.”
Governor Janet Napolitano added, "This agreement demonstrates our firm commitment to reform, and to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. It has been a long road, it has been difficult, but this
is the right answer to an incredibly challenging problem."
Director Eden also credited the plaintiff’s attorneys for their hard work and focus to reach this deal.
The pact commits the state to a series of concrete end dates to existing court orders in the long-standing lawsuit. By doing so, the state has committed to a fundamental reform of how mental health services are delivered in Maricopa County, and puts mental health consumers and their families at the core of those reforms, said Leslie Schwalbe, deputy director for Behavioral Health Services in Arizona.
“This has occurred through an unprecedented collaboration among consumers, providers, and advocates who have worked tirelessly to shape a reform plan that focuses on recovery-based treatment,” Schwalbe said.
A court still must first ratify the agreement. A hearing is scheduled Friday.
The case was filed in 1981 by Phoenix attorney, Charles Arnold, alleging the state did not fund a comprehensive mental health system in Maricopa County.
The class action lawsuit sought to enforce the creation of a community-based health system on behalf of people with a serious mental illness. The case was appealed to the Arizona Supreme Court, and the state and county lost. The state’s high court affirmed the individual right of every seriously mentally ill person to adequate treatment in the community.
Schwalbe, Deputy Director of the Department of Health Services, said a number of factors contributed to the historic understanding.
Schwalbe said the court had indicated a desire to reach an agreement, the parties were ready, and the Governor “was determined that we work non-stop until all the issues were resolved.”
“We could not have reached this agreement without Governor Napolitano’s leadership and support,” Schwalbe said. “I believe we also had reached a level of trust and understanding among all parties that it was time to move on. Now we can work together to address the needs of people with mental illness in Maricopa County.”
The agreement outlines an aggressive schedule for improving mental health clinics in Maricopa County, where people with serious mental illness receive their primary health care services.
“We have an aggressive schedule to increase the case-management ratios at all clinics,” Schwalbe said. The plan also includes mentoring and coaching for caseworkers to help individuals reach recovery and allow them to lead meaningful lives in the community.
“This plan will profoundly make a difference in people’s lives,” Schwalbe said.
|
|
|
