By Morgan True, VTDigger.org
Among the problems Rutland Mental Health Services must address to remain one of the state’s regional human services contractors is its management of a waiting list for adolescent mental health services, a state report shows.
Within the past year a 13-year-old girl took her own life after waiting almost six months to get into mental health treatment at the agency.
The state is reviewing whether Rutland Mental Health Services should keep its status as a designated agency. RMH is one of 11 designated agencies, nonprofits that receive exclusive contracts for mental health, developmental disability and substance use services. These agencies receive more than $300 million from the state each year, and RMH receives more than $28 million of that.
Stakeholder committees made up of clients, family and experts met a final time June 26 and voted to place the agency on provisional status with intent to de-designate. The state must make a final decision by July 28.