1.
Intent.
a. The general assembly intends for the state to implement a comprehensive, continuous, and integrated state mental health and disability services plan in accordance with the requirements of sections 225C.4 and 225C.6 and other provisions of this chapter, by increasing the department‘s responsibilities in the development, funding, oversight, and ongoing leadership of mental health and disability services in this state.
b. In order to further the purposes listed in section 225C.1 and in other provisions of this chapter, the general assembly intends that efforts focus on the goal of making available a comprehensive array of high-quality, evidence-based consumer and family-centered mental health and disability services and other support in the least restrictive, community-based setting appropriate for a consumer.
c. In addition, it is the intent of the general assembly to promote policies and practices that achieve for consumers the earliest possible detection of mental health problems and the need for disability services and for early intervention; to stress that all health care programs address mental health disorders with the same urgency as physical health disorders; to promote the policies of all public programs that serve adults and children with mental disorders or with a need for disability services, including but not limited to child welfare, Medicaid, education, housing, criminal and juvenile justice, substance abuse treatment, and employment services; to consider the special mental health and disability services needs of adults and children; and to promote recovery and resiliency as expected outcomes for all consumers.
2.
Comprehensive plan.
The division shall develop a comprehensive written five-year state mental health and disability services plan with annual updates and readopt the plan every five years. The plan shall describe the key components of the state’s mental health and disability services system, including the services that are community-based, state institution-based, or regional or state-based. The five-year plan and each update shall be submitted annually to the commission on or before October 30 for review and approval.
3.
State and regional disability service systems.
The publicly financed disability services for persons with mental illness, intellectual disability or other developmental disability, or brain injury in this state shall be provided by the department and the counties operating together as regions. The financial and administrative responsibility for such services is as follows:
a. Disability services for children and adults that are covered under the medical assistance program pursuant to chapter 249A are the responsibility of the state.
b. Adult mental health and intellectual disability services that are not covered under the medical assistance program are the responsibility of the county-based regional service system.
c. Children’s behavioral health services provided to eligible children that are not covered under the medical assistance program or other third-party payor are the responsibility of the county-based regional service system.
