October 25, 2002

AREA MENTAL HEALTH PUTS PLAN BEFORE THE PUBLIC

Charlotte, NC -- The proposed plan that outlines how Mecklenburg County will manage mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities services to meet community needs will be presented at a public forum on Oct. 29.

The Tuesday forum is set for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Room 267 of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center at 600 East Fourth Street. The purpose is to inform the public about state mental health reform, and to present the local strategic business plan for comment.

"This is the three-year strategic plan that describes how the Mecklenburg County Area Authority will conduct business," said Carol Goerner, project director for the Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health Authority (AMHA). Under the new plan, the AMHA will become a Local Management Entity (LME), that assures services are available and delivered to consumers with an emphasis on quality, timeliness and cost effectiveness.

North Carolina is mandating that every area program create a business plan to direct how it will manage the increasingly limited funds available for mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services. The plan will include increased community involvement and collaboration with other agencies.

The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners must approve the AMHA plan, after which the N.C. Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services will certify that Mecklenburg County is ready to be an LME. Following is a list of other opportunities to hear about the plan:

· Meeting: Community Health & Safety Committee
Date: November 6, 2002
Time: 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center - 11th Floor Large Conference Room

· Meeting: Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting
Date: November 19, 2002
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center Meeting Chamber