Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mental Health Capacity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mental‑health commissioner warns of forensic backlog, bed shortages and a $28 million developmental‑disabilities deficit
Summary
Commissioner Boswell said state hospitals and community crisis beds are full, that more than 400 people are waiting in jails for forensic placement and that the developmental‑disabilities program has a $28 million deficit.
Commissioner Boswell told the committee the Department of Mental Health has made progress rebuilding community care since large 2010 cuts but still faces critical bed shortages, a growing forensic backlog and a material deficit in developmental services.
Boswell said community crisis residential units and state‑hospital beds are at or near capacity and that Bryce Hospital alone has an active waiting list of about 60 people. "We probably have a waiting list of about, 60 people waiting to get in Bryce Hospital," she said.
Forensic backlog: Boswell described more than 400 people waiting in county jails for transfer to Taylor Hardin, a forensic facility, and said the department is working under mediation and a consent decree to reduce that wait list. She listed priorities: hire forensic navigators, increase evaluator compensation and open a 16‑bed forensic group home to help meet court expectations and avoid contempt fines.
Developmental‑disabilities funding: The commissioner said the agency reduced a $38 million deficit to about $28 million by suspending some programs, cutting 22 positions and instituting a hiring freeze; she said those steps are temporary and that sustainable funding will be required to avoid service erosion.
Boswell urged continued legislative support for targeted one‑time and recurring investments to restore bed capacity and comply with court‑mandated timelines.
