USPRA

I recently returned from the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association annual conference in Boise, ID. Aside from some representatives from MD VA facilities, I was the only Marylander at the conference.

I think that this is a clear sign that the State of Maryland has abandoned any pretense of wanting the practice of psychiatric rehabiliation in the state.

The Mental Hygiene Administration has continually eschewed the acceptance of the CPRP certification for practitioners, effectively thumbing its nose at quality practice in the field.

The Mental Hygiene Administration has blindly pursued the implementation of expensive "evidenced-based practices" such as assertive community teams and supportive employment, spending scarce resources to benefit the few and ignoring the masses.

The Mental Hygiene Administration is in its 9th year of a moratorium of the development of affordable housing by community mental health providers, thereby denying hundreds, if not thousands, of Marylanders from affordable housing opportunities but denying them the opportunity to learn important living skills in the rare opportunities the get for housing.

The Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration, by forsaking strategies to implement and sustain psychiatric rehabilitation, has demonstrated that it is not only strategically bankrupt, but in the case of its housing policy, morally bankrupt, as well.

They woke up?

Apparently, the forced closure of the Upper Shore Hospital in Maryland's eastern shore has caused enough shock to the Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration that they have quietly abandoned their nine-long year moratorium on the development of affordable housing opportunities for people with psychiatric disabilities.

In preparation for the closure of the hospital, contracts have been let for crisis services, intensive intervention services and residential services for those who will leave the hospital.

Those supports have been tested and available for decades. MHA has consistently chosen not to support crisis residential services at adequate rates and supports for individuals in new residential programs.

The failure of the Mental Hygiene Administration to support these established efforts has cost taxpayers, probably, hundreds of millions of dollars and more importantly, an enhanced quality of life for persons served.

Shame on the Mental Hygiene Administration in Maryland for waiting until a budge crunch forced your hand. Shame on the advocacy community for not forcing your hand earlier.

Congratulations to those individuals who will get an opportunity to be full contributing partners in their community because of the closure of the Upper Shore Hospital. You should well-consider your legal options against the state because of their lack of vision.