SENATE MEMORIAL 115

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Gerald Ortiz y Pino

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A TASK FORCE TO PERFORM AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION OF THE ADOLESCENT TREATMENT HOSPITAL AND THE ADOLESCENT RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.

     WHEREAS, with the 1992 enactment of the Adolescent Treatment Hospital Act, the adolescent treatment hospital was authorized to provide care, treatment and reintegration into society for adolescents who are or who have a history of violence, who have a mental disorder and who are amenable to treatment; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to that act, the adolescent residential treatment facility was authorized to provide a residential treatment program designed for treating adolescents with serious emotional disturbances in a therapeutic environment for the purpose of developing skills necessary for successful transition into the community; and

     WHEREAS, the adolescent treatment hospital and the adolescent residential treatment facility are under the administration and control of the department of health; and

     WHEREAS, for more than twenty years, the adolescent treatment hospital and the adolescent residential treatment facility have operated in compliance with the mandates; and

     WHEREAS, until 2012, the average resident daily census was approximately thirty-five, and there was a waiting list; and

     WHEREAS, since 2012, there has been a precipitous drop in the average resident daily census, at some points as low as thirteen, and there is no waiting list; and

     WHEREAS, the reduction in average resident daily census and lack of a waiting list indicate that adolescents who need the services provided by the adolescent treatment hospital and the adolescent residential treatment facility are not being served;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that an independent evaluation of the therapeutic model, residential services, staffing levels and qualifications, and after-care services be undertaken by a task force under the direction of the chairman of the university of New Mexico school of medicine's department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences or the chairman's designee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the deputy cabinet secretary of the department of health or the deputy cabinet secretary's designee, the director of the facilities division of the department of health, the retired former director of the adolescent treatment hospital and the adolescent residential treatment facility, the executive director of the New Mexico council on crime and delinquency, the director of psychiatry of the juvenile justice division of the children, youth and families department, a parent or guardian of a current or former resident of the adolescent treatment hospital or the adolescent residential treatment facility, a board-certified adolescent pediatrician and other persons selected by the chairman of the university of New Mexico school of medicine's department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall make recommendations to the interim legislative health and human services committee not later than November 1, 2015, to include:

          A. ways to strengthen the program and services provided by the adolescent treatment hospital and adolescent residential treatment facility;

          B. a plan to improve the financial status of the adolescent treatment hospital and adolescent residential treatment facility;

          C. a plan to build a statewide system of after care for residents upon discharge; and

          D. proposed legislation, if any, necessary to implement the task force's recommendations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health, the secretary of children, youth and families, the director of the juvenile justice division of the children, youth and families department, the interim legislative health and human services committee and the chairman of the university of New Mexico school of medicine's department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

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