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Advocacy > Be An Advocate
The Geriatric Mental Health Act (A.7672/S.4742) -
A Summary of the Bill
Purpose
Older adults with mental disorders are currently underserved and will become increasingly
underserved, as there is a rapid increase in the number of older adults. The purpose of this bill is
to lay the groundwork for New York State to be able to provide high quality, innovative, and
integrated services to meet the current mental health needs of older adults and to prepare for the
coming elder boom.
History
Thanks to the visionary leadership of a bi-partisan group of
legislators in the Assembly and in the Senate, the Act was introduced
in April 2005.
- The primary sponsor in the Senate was Nick Spano, Sr. Assistant
Majority Leader.
- The primary co-sponsors were Thomas Morahan, Chair of the Mental
Health Committee, and Martin Golden, Chair of the Aging
Committee.
- The primary sponsor in the Assembly was Peter Rivera, Chair of
the Mental Health Committee.
- The primary co-sponsor was Steven Englebright, Chair of the Aging
Committee.
The Act passed the New York State Senate unanimously and the New York
State Assembly with only one negative vote at the end of June 2005. It
was signed into law by Governor George Pataki at the end of August.
Components of the Act
The Act establishes:
- A services demonstrations grants program
- An Interagency Geriatric Mental Health Planning Council
Services Demonstration Grants
Meeting the mental health needs of older adults requires service innovation. The Act calls for the
Office of Mental Health (OMH) to establish a services demonstrations grants program seeking
innovation in key areas including among others:
- Supports to enable older adults to remain in the community
- Improved quality of care in the community
- Integration of mental health, health, and aging services
- Enhanced cultural competence
- Family support
- Efficient use of professionals, paraprofessionals, and volunteers including peers
- New finance models
Interagency Planning
Readiness for the elder boom requires interagency planning. This bill establishes an Interagency
Geriatric Mental Health Planning Council co-chaired by the Commissioner of Mental Health and
the Director of the Office for the Aging.
Members include representatives of:
- OMH (Office of Mental Health)
- OFA (Office for the Aging)
- OASAS (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services)
- OMR (Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities)
- Commission on the Quality of Care
- Department of Health
- Department of Education
- Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
- Office of Children and Family Services (which oversees adult protective services)
- Six individuals to be appointed by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Governor
In addition to providing recommendations to state departments and offices, the Council will
submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature.
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