March 01, 2000
Mayor Williams Announces Agreement To Begin Return Of Mental Health Services To District Government
(Washington, D.C.) Mayor Anthony Williams and the Dixon class plaintiffs are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement, subject to court approval, by which the day-to-day operations of the Commission on Mental Health Services will be returned to the District of Columbia government no later than April 1, 2001. The parties have submitted a proposed order to the United States District Court this week detailing the process and conditions for transitioning the system back to District control.
Upon the Court's approval of the agreement proposed by the parties, the current Receiver, Scott Nelson, M.D., will leave his post as Receiver on March 31, 2000, and Dennis Jones will be appointed Transitional Receiver. Mr. Jones will be responsible for developing a cost-effective plan designed to implement the court's orders and decrees. The plan will include the implementation of the Carepoint model developed by Dr. Nelson. A Carepoint is a comprehensive mental health service agency providing a single point of community-based responsibility for each enrolled mental health patient. Each Carepoint will use a flexible service approach and will be accountable for positive outcomes.
Specific accomplishments under Dr. Nelson's leadership of the Commission include substantial increases in availability of the new antipsychotic medications, increased housing units for the mentally ill, expansion of community outreach services, substantial reductions in the use of seclusion and restraint at the hospital, and creation of a Consumer and Family Affairs office. The progress under Dr. Nelson's leadership has set the stage for the agreement between the parties.
Dr. Nelson also includes approval of a new 320-bed St. Elizabeth's hospital facility among his accomplishments.
Under the agreement, beginning possibly as early as January 1, 2001, or at the latest April 1, 2001, the Commission on Mental Health Services will be operated on a day-to-day basis by the District of Columbia government. During the first six months, the parties will develop exit criteria and a schedule for the termination of the Court's existing orders and decrees. If the Transitional Receiver certifies the District of Columbia government is capable of and is implementing the plan, the Transitional Receivership will terminate. No later than October 30, 2001, the Transitional Receiver will submit to the Court recommendations regarding termination of the orders in this case.
It is with the parties' deep regret that Judge Aubrey E. Robinson, Jr., whose decision in this case has led to the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill and to the development of community-based treatment options, is not able to share in the continued improvement of the District's mental health system. Judge Robinson, who died this week, presided over this case for more than two decades. In many respects, it was his vision of treating mentally ill persons in community settings that has led to the creation of numerous treatment options for District residents. He will be missed.
