ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH,
MENTAL RETARDATION
AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
AND THE
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NEW YORK CITY

Thursday
January 24, 2002
10:00 AM
Assembly Hearing Room
250 Broadway
Room 1923 - 19th Floor
New York, New York

Section 5.07 of the Mental Hygiene Law was established by Chapter 978 of the Laws of 1977 to ensure that there would be an annual planning process which would reflect a partnership between State and local government units, emphasize how gaps in services for the mentally disabled would be filled and ensure that services are provided to the multiply disabled. Section 5.05 of the Mental Hygiene Law established an Inter-Office Coordinating Council to ensure that State policy is planned, developed and implemented comprehensively; that gaps in services to the multiply disabled are eliminated and that no one is denied services because of suffering from more than one disability. The Legislature enacted this planning process to enable it to establish policies and funding priorities consistent with the needs identified by local governments and other stakeholders.

It is apparent that, for at least the last three years, the Offices within the Department of Mental Hygiene have not met the requirements of Section 5.07 of the Mental Hygiene Law. Needs of the multiply disabled are not being given appropriate attention in the annual planning process since the planning process being implemented does not conform with the requirements of the law.

Please see the reverse side for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

MARTIN A. LUSTER

Member of Assembly
Chairman
Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

SELECTED RECENT PROBLEMS TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:

1. How the Mental Health Services Council and the Advisory Councils on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services each establish statewide goals and objectives

2. Whether such goals and objectives are established, reviewed, augmented or deleted by means of a continuing annual goal-setting process which is open and visible to the public

3. Whether the Offices within the Department of Mental Hygiene each formulate a statewide comprehensive plan from local comprehensive plans developed by each local government unit, with participation of consumers, consumer groups, providers of services and department facilities furnishing services to the mentally disabled of the area in conformance with statewide goals and objectives established by the Advisory Council of each Office

4. How the process of establishing statewide goals and objectives and subsequent comprehensive plans can be strengthened

5. How each of the Offices with the Department of Mental Hygiene could better address the needs of the multiply disabled

6. Whether the Inter-Office Coordinating Council has effectively ensured that State policy is planned, developed and implemented comprehensively; that gaps in services to the multiply disabled are eliminated; and, that no one person is denied treatment and services because of suffering from more than one disability

7. What impact the September 11, 2001 tragedy has had on planning and allocation of resources in impacted communities

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

*Click here to view printable form.*

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on the establishment of statewide goals and objectives; statewide comprehensive plans of services for the mentally disabled are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to:

Carl Letson
Legislative Associate
Assembly Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities
Room 522 - Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
(518) 455-4371
(518) 455-4693 (fax)

I plan to attend the public hearing on establishment of statewide goals and objectives; statewide comprehensive plans for the mentally disabled to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse on January, 24, 2002 in New York City

I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:
_____ _____________________________________

_____ _____________________________________

_____ _____________________________________

I do not plan to attend the above hearing.

I would like to be added to the Committee mailing list for notices and reports.

I would like to be removed from the Committee mailing list.

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:
_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

NAME: ______________________________________________________

TITLE: _______________________________________________________

ORGANIZATION: _____________________________________________

ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________

TELEPHONE: _________________________________________________