Press Releases
GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES COMMISSIONER PATRICIA REHMER WILL CONTINUE LEADING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he will re-appoint Patricia A. Rehmer, MSN, ACHE, as Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) when his second term in office begins on January 7, 2015.
"With Commissioner Rehmer leading the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Connecticut has a strong advocate for individuals experiencing behavioral health disorders," said Governor Malloy. "Under her direction, DMHAS continues to provide cost effective services that support individualized paths to recovery. With her leadership in times of tragedy, and her advocacy skills on issues such as the availability of a life-saving overdose prevention medication, Commissioner Rehmer will continue to build a recovery-oriented system for individuals and families throughout our state."
Commissioner Rehmer oversees the state's comprehensive services for adults with mental health and substance use disorders who lack the financial resources to acquire necessary services on their own. Appointed to this position since 2009, Commissioner Rehmer has continued to focus the Department on recovery while emphasizing treatment and prevention. A national leader in mental health and substance abuse, Commissioner Rehmer serves as the Vice President of the Board of the National Association of Mental Health State Program Directors working to ensure mental health and substance abuse systems are recovery oriented and advocating for federal funding.
"Governor Malloy has a strong grasp on the services necessary to promote recovery," said Commissioner Rehmer. "I look forward to continuing to serve under his administration and thank him for his confidence in my leadership, and his support of the department and the individuals we serve. "
Under Commissioner Rehmer's leadership, the department's major accomplishments to date include:
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Awards of over $160 million dollars in competitive federal grants to fund initiatives such as substance abuse screening and brief intervention, the prevention of underage drinking, services for youth in transition, supportive housing and supported employment.
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Widespread education about, and availability of, the prescription Naloxone (Narcan), a lifesaving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
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Implementation of Electronic Health Record (EHR) to replace the paper charts and current electronic documentation tools used in the Department's inpatient and outpatient facilities. The EHR will provide quicker access to patient records, secure electronic information sharing with other clinicians; and efficiencies in prescribing medication to internal and external pharmacies.
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Implementation of Behavioral Health Homes (BHH) for those citizens with severe and persistent mental illness and high Medicaid costs. The BHH is a vehicle that identifies mental healthcare and physical healthcare needs and services and insures all needs are delivered in a coordinated, person-centered manner.
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An increase in the number of Assertive Community Treatment teams to improve the Department's capacity to engage individuals who do not readily accept traditional mental health services.
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Increased capacity and programming to serve young adults with mental health needs as they transition from the youth system of care to the adult treatment system.
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An emphasis on utilizing individuals with the lived experience of a mental health diagnosis to engage others in treatment and recovery.
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Work with sister state agencies to ensure collaboration across Human Service and other agencies.
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Initiation of an international forum to promote recovery including partnerships with countries such as Canada and Argentina to foster the evolution of new person-centered innovations attentive to equality and social inclusion.
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For Immediate Release: December 17, 2014
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