Brandalyn Brewer

This strategic plan for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health is centered on its mission to support the recovery of people with mental illness. The plan outlines four primary goals: to increase access to quality mental health services, enhance workforce recruitment and retention, continually improve the effectiveness of administrative operations to support clinical services, and expand prevention efforts and early intervention services.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health's FY 2023 Mental Health Block Grant Report focuses on maximizing the effective use of departmental resources to achieve specific outcomes related to mental health services. Key priorities include enhancing accountability through performance measures, addressing first episode psychosis, promoting behaviors to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and maintaining healthy environments. The report tracks progress on indicators such as the percentage of the population served, inpatient bed days, timely access to CMHC appointments, readmission rates, telepsychiatry service utilization, employment rates among patients, life expectancy in skilled nursing facilities, and the use of restraints and seclusion in inpatient facilities. Additionally, the report emphasizes emergency preparedness, suicide prevention, and maintaining state expenditures on mental health services.

The meeting included presentations on the Community Mental Health Statistical Report, highlighting patient accessibility to services and the progress of the Community Crisis and Response Intervention (CCRI) program. Updates were given on the Forensic waiting list, the merger of Greenville Mental Health Center and Piedmont Mental Health Center, and the status of veteran nursing home construction projects. Discussions also covered the sale of land in Gaffney, the Bull Street facilities, and the agency's financial status and legislative oversight. An executive session was held to receive legal advice.

The S.C. Mental Health Commission visited the Coastal Empire Community Mental Health Center (CECMHC) and received a presentation on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program. The IPS program focuses on employment placement and support for individuals with mental illness. The presentation highlighted the program's philosophy, success stories, challenges (such as patient follow-through and finding appropriate job placements), and future plans, including grant applications for transportation assistance and collaborations with community partners. The newly appointed Center Director also spoke about her background and future goals for CECMHC, including expanding services in rural areas.

The meeting covered a range of topics, including a review of the 2023 statewide patient satisfaction survey, which showed a 1.9 percentage point increase in participation compared to 2022. Discussions included the CCBHC model of care, with updates on the Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center and Beckman Center for Mental Health pilot programs. The report also addressed the financial status of the department, including the upcoming implementation of a new EHR system and the transfer of contracted veterans nursing homes from DMH to the SCDVA. Long-term care updates included the successful transfer of veterans' homes and the completion of renovations at Fewell Pavilion. Recruitment and retention challenges in long-term care facilities were also highlighted.