Agenda 08/10/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Central Office, State Facility, And Community Services Board P~rtnership Agreement Section 1: Purpose Collaboration through partnerships is the foundation of the Virginia public system of menta~ health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services. The Central Office of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (the Centrat Office/, State Facilities operated by the Department, and Community Services Boards (CSBs), which are entities of local governments, are the operational partners in Virginia's public system for providing such services. CSBs include local government departments with policy advisory CSBs and behavioral health authorities, established pursuant to Chapters 10 and 15 respectively of Title 37.1 of the Code of Virginia. The partners enter into this Partnership Agi'eement to improve the quality of care provided to consumers and to enhance the quality of consumers' lives. The goal of this Agreement is to establish a fully collaborative partnership process through which the CSBs, Central Office, and State Facilities can reach agreements on operational and policy matters and issues. In areas where it has specific statutory accountability, responsibility or authority, the Central Office will make decisions or determinations with the fullest possible participation and involvement by the other partners. In all other areas, the partners will make decisions or determinations jointly. The partners also agree to make decisions and resolve problems at the level closest to the issue or situation, whenever possible. Nothing in this Partnership Agreement nullifies, abridges, or otherwise limits or affects the legal responsibilities or authorities of each partner, nor does this Partnership Agreement create any new rights or benefits on behalf of any third parties. The partners share a common desire for the system of care to excel in the delivery and seamless continuity of services to consumers and their families, and we seek similar collaborations or opportunities for partnerships with consumer and family advocacy groups and other stakeholders. We believe that a collaborative strategic planning process helps to identify the needs of consumers and ensures effective resource allocation and operational decisions that contribute to the continuity and effectiveness of care provided across the public mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services system. We agree to engage in such a collaborative planning process. The Central Office, State Facility, and CSB Partnership reflects a common purpose dedved from: 1. Codified roles defined in Chapters 10 and 15 of Title 37.1 of the Code of Virginia, as delineated in the Community Services Performance Contract; 2. Philosophical agreement on the importance of consumer-focused services and other core goals and values contained in this Partnership Agreement; 3. Operational linkages associated with funding, program planning and assessment, and joint efforts to address challenges to the public system of services; and 4. Quality improvement-focused accountability to consumers and family members, local and state governments, and the public at large, as described in the accountability section of this Partnership Agreement. This Padnership Agreement also establishes a framework for covedng other relationships that may exist among the partners. Examples of these relationships include Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and regional initiatives, such as the Region IV Acute Care Pilot Project and the Discharge Assistance and Diversion program in northern Virginia. For example, the provisions of this agreement would govern interactions between the Central Office and those CSBs that participate in Part C. This Partnership Agreement contains sections that address: Roles and Responsibilities; Core Values; Indicators; Accountability; Consumer and Family Member Involvement and Participation; System Leadership Council; Communication; Quality Improvement; Reviews, Consultation, and Technical Assistance; Revision; and Signatures.