Chapter 6
2008-2009 Planning Cycle

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Planning for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update is occurring within the broader backdrop of a change of leadership at the highest level of State government. As we embark upon a new administration, OMH feels confident that it has a solid foundation on which to face the challenges before the public mental health system, capitalize on opportunities for growth, and initiate change that is consonant with the vision and values of Governor Spitzer and Commissioner Michael Hogan.

Specifically, OMH will be working closely with the Governor, the Legislature, and Local Governmental Units to ensure the fundamental reform of our health care system called for by the Governor and his administration. OMH will draw upon its strategic planning and performance measurement framework and other vital resources to face the challenges inherent in a change process that by its nature demands difficult choices. It will rely on its mission, vision and values in examining strategies to address such challenges, including the accelerated movement of expensive hospital care to effective, community and home-based alternatives; careful oversight of Medicaid-funded services to reduce fraud and waste; expansion of mental health services that reduce the need for emergency care; and conscientious management of care for individuals who utilize an inappropriately large amount of health resources while experiencing poor health and mental health outcomes, particularly persons with co-morbid, chronic illnesses.

As OMH conducts the upcoming annual cycle of examining its Strategic Plan Framework, seeking input from Local Governmental Units and stakeholders, and examining areas of divergence from our desired path, the agency will make certain its strategic planning processes are aligned with the vision and values that the Governor has articulated. Within the context, OMH has set the following milestones for the 2008-2009 planning cycle for 2007:

Public Education and Outreach Focused on 2007-2008 Priorities – Winter

• Review of the 2007-2008 planning priorities with the Commissioner’s advisory bodies, within other public forums, and from public submission of comments

Gathering Stakeholder Input to Inform Priority Setting for 2008-2009 – Spring

• OMH Informational Briefings and Public Hearings aimed at reviewing the Strategic Plan Framework, scanning the challenges and trends relevant to the public mental health system, reviewing current strategies and performance measures, and gathering information to inform 2008-2009 planning; to be held in each of OMH’s five regions, in coordination with the Mental Health Services Council
• County activities to gather and synthesize local stakeholder input

OMH Analysis, Summary and Sharing of Stakeholder Input – Summer

• OMH analysis and synthesis of OMH-obtained stakeholder input
• OMH posting of public hearing testimony on the agency web site

CLMHD Analysis, Summary and Sharing of Stakeholder Input – Summer

• County submission of annual priorities to OMH and the Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors (CLMHD)
• Analysis of Local Governmental planning priorities submitted by the Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors

OMH Comprehensive Analysis of Priorities for 2008-2009 – Fall

• Review by OMH of findings from analyses of stakeholder and County priorities
• Review of Strategic Plan Framework and scan of the environment
• Determination of OMH statewide planning priorities

Preparation and Release of Statewide Comprehensive Plan Update – Fall

• Comparison of OMH strategic priorities and initiatives to address gaps in the current system of care, in line with the mission, vision and values of the State and of OMH; done with an eye toward the overall State priorities and financial realities
• Preparation of the Update to the Statewide Comprehensive Plan for Mental Health Services
• OMH release of the Statewide Comprehensive Plan Update

Complementing the ongoing planning activities required under Mental Hygiene Law is the development of a children’s mental health plan. With the passage of the Children’s Mental Health Act in September of 2006, OMH was charged with producing by June 1, 2008, a plan for a "comprehensive, coordinated children’s mental health system." The legislation requires a preliminary plan by June 1, 2007, which will provide a foundation for a year-long multi-stakeholder process that will result in a series of short- and long-term planning recommendations. These will be used to guide culturally and linguistically competent, comprehensive, and coordinated mental health assessments, early intervention and evidence-based treatment services for children from birth until age 18.

Importantly, the development of the final children’s mental health plan will take place within the overall framework of the statewide planning process. The children’s plan will be guided by the same mission, vision and values that underlie all planning within OMH. It will be distinctly different, however, in that it will take into account children’s developmental milestones and their unique needs, and it will reflect the latest thinking and scientific knowledge regarding the identification, early intervention, and treatment of childhood mental health disorders.

The preliminary plan due to the Legislature on June 1, 2007, will provide an overview of the year-long planning process and activities. It will be posted on the OMH web site when it becomes available.

We look forward to a year where opportunities and change positively enable New Yorkers to have good mental health and foster recovery in persons with serious mental illnesses and children and youth with serious emotional disturbances. We urge citizens to offer any comments on improving the system of care by writing to the Commissioner of Mental Health, 44 Holland Avenue, Albany, NY 12229, or sending a message to the "Transformation" mailbox at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/transformation/transformationbooklet.htm.

Comments or questions about the information on this page can be directed to the Office of Planning.