Health Department Biweekly Reports Folder 0066, 2000-2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

unlicensed adult homes. They are subject to City building, fire, and safety housing codes, and can range from a single family home that takes in boarders to large, private SRO's housing large numbers of individuals in a single building. Some unlicensed adult homes are well maintained and run by caring people; however some homes, have been found to violate thediousing codes and provide poor care.

A review of recent initiatives both by the State and the City to increase the number of mental health community beds in New York City will result in a total of 13,000 slots five years from now. The Department also reported on steps taken in recent years to remind hospitals of their discharge responsibilities under the State mental hygiene law to assure that patients are placed in appropriate housing.

HealthCommittee Chair Victor Rotiles suggested that perhaps a local-lawcould be passed to require the Fire and Buildings Departments to report City Code adult homes violations to the Department if persons withamental illness are in residence. Ms. Clarke; Subcommittee Chair asked for an estimate of the unmet Weed #or housing and the number of unlicensed homes occupied by persons with a mental illness. The Department had previously testified that a new analysis of the State's estimate of unmet need for housing is due, as well as for other categories of mental health services. However, there is no reliable estimate for the number of unlicensed adult homes.

In addition to the Commissioner, HHC Assistant Vice President for the Office of Behavioral Health, Joyce Wale, and Dr. Manuel Trujillo, Director of Psychiatry at Bellevue Hospital also testified. They described the discharge planning and follow- up procedures that HHC hospitals use, the types of settings patients are discharged to, and the need for additional residential placements, particularly for patients with substance abuse problems, those needing intensive clinical support, those with histories of violent behavior, and those without insurance.

4. EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (EIP) UPDATE

~ y ,. roposed amendments to the regulations governing the Early Intervention Program ve been circulated for comment. The Department submitted a response on behalf g of the City, specifically with regard to changes to. the definitions for audiology and nursing services, the use of certified occupational therapists' assistants, the use of the term, "natural environment", and the exclusion of service coordination as a part of the individualized family service plan. Following a review of comments, the final regulations will be issued by the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. Honorable Rudolph W. Giuliani -4- December 8, 2000

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