§334-3 Functions of department in mental health. (a) The department of health within the limits of available funds within the designated programs, shall promote and provide for the establishment and operation of a community-based mental health system responsive to the needs of persons of all ages, ethnic groups, and geographical areas of the State, reflective of an appropriate distribution of resources and services, and monitored and evaluated in terms of standards, goal attainment, and outcomes. The elements of the system shall be defined by departmental rules recognizing the need for at least the following services:
(1) Informational and educational services to the general public and to lay and professional groups;
(2) Collaborative and cooperative services with public and private agencies and groups for the prevention and treatment of mental or emotional disorders and substance abuse and rehabilitation of patients;
(3) Consultation services to the judiciary, to educational institutions, and to health and welfare agencies;
(4) Case management, outreach, and follow-up services;
(5) Emergency crisis and noncrisis intervention services accessible to all residents;
(6) Community-based, relevant, and responsive outpatient services;
(7) Community residential care comprising a comprehensive range of small, homelike, and appropriately staffed treatment and rehabilitation facilities;
(8) Short-term psychiatric treatment, preferably in facilities where access to other health and medical services are readily available;
(9) Intensive psychiatric treatment for patients in need of long-term, highly structured, or highly specialized care and treatment under section 334-2.5, and provision of appropriate community resources;
(10) Training programs, activities, and staffing standards for the major mental health disciplines and ancillary services; and
(11) Rehabilitative services for hospital and community-based individuals who have experienced short- or long-term mental or emotional disorders and substance abuse.
(b) The department shall revise, refine, and develop the system to ensure optimal responsiveness to the many and varied needs of the people of the State. The development of the system shall be based on an annual statewide comprehensive integrated service plan that is the cumulative result of comprehensive integrated service area planning within each county. The statewide plan shall determine the specific content of the department of health budget for the mental health system.
(c) The department shall specifically:
(1) Perform statewide assessments of the need for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services in the areas of mental or emotional disorders and substance abuse;
(2) Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for establishing the number and boundaries of the geographical service areas for the delivery of services in the areas of mental or emotional disorders and substance abuse. The department shall periodically review the effectiveness of the geographical service areas in promoting accessibility and continuity of appropriate care to all residents of that geographical area;
(3) Appoint a service area administrator in each county who shall be responsible for the development, delivery, and coordination of services in that area;
(4) Ensure statewide and community-based planning for the ongoing development and coordination of the service delivery system as guided by needs assessment data and performance related information;
(5) Establish standards and rules for psychiatric facilities and their licensing, where applicable;
(6) Establish standards and rules for services in the areas of mental health and substance abuse treatment, including assurances of the provision of minimum levels of accessible service to persons of all ages, ethnic groups, and geographical areas in the State;
(7) Ensure community involvement in determining the service delivery arrangements appropriate to each community of the State;
(8) Cooperate with public and private health, education, and human service groups, agencies, and institutions in establishing a coordinated system to meet the needs of persons with mental or emotional disorders and substance abuse difficulties;
(9) Evaluate and monitor all services in the fields of mental health and substance abuse where such services are supported fully or in part by state resources;
(10) Promote and conduct research, demonstration projects, and studies concerned with the nature, prevention, intervention, and consequences of mental or emotional disorders and substance abuse;
(11) Keep records, statistical data, and other information as may be necessary in carrying out the functions of the mental health system and this chapter;
(12) Advocate patients' rights in all psychiatric facilities in the State and investigate any grievances submitted to the department by any patient in a psychiatric facility, except as provided in section 334E-2(d). The department shall establish rules and procedures for the purpose of this paragraph within one year after January 1, 1985, and post the rules in a conspicuous manner and accessible place;
(13) Promote and conduct a systematic program of accountability for all services provided, funds expended, and activities carried out under its direction or support in accordance with sound business, management, and scientific principles;
(14) Coordinate mental health resources in each county of the State by the development and presentation of a comprehensive integrated service area plan developed by the service area administrator in conjunction with the service area board. The service area administrator and the service area board, in collaboration with private and public agencies serving their population, shall submit recommendations for the statewide comprehensive integrated service plan, including needs assessment, program planning, resource development, priorities for funding, monitoring, and accountability activities;
(15) Oversee and coordinate service area programs and provide necessary administrative and technical assistance to assist service area programs in meeting their program objectives; and
(16) Provide staffing to the state council and service area boards to assist in the performance of their functions. [L 1967, c 259, pt of §1; HRS §334-3; am L 1982, c 200, §2; am L 1984, c 218, §3; am L 1985, c 6, §2; am L 1999, c 119, §3; am L 2004, c 79, §2]