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Saturday, July 4, 2009
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NAMI Arkansas Home Page
Arkansas' NAMIWalks 2009 was on May 30, 2009
We raised $52,465.00!
Thanks to all who walked and everyone who donated!
Arkansas Gets F for Mental Health Care
Decrease From Last Report Card; State Budget Cuts Threaten Recovery
Little Rock, Arkansas--The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) issued a national report card today that gives Arkansas an F grade for its public mental health care system
The report is a follow-up to a NAMI report published three years ago to measure the progress of states in achieving the goals of a presidential commission that called for transformation of the mental health care system—which too often is fragmented, outmoded and inadequate.
In the previous report, Arkansas received a grade of D. This year it is one of 12 states that saw their grades decline. The national average is D, remaining stagnant from three years ago. Six states received Bs. Six received Fs. No state got an A.
See www.nami.org/grades2009 for the full report.
“There’s not much to say about dropping from a D to an F,” said Kim Arnold, Executive Director of NAMI Arkansas. “We are at rock bottom. We need to be investing in change and moving forward instead.
“Clearly, our state has few of the moving parts for a proven, cost-effective mental health care system. Political leadership, investment, improved planning, and, lastly, action will be needed in order to improve.”
Arnold continued, “However, I do have hope for our state and our citizens. I know there is a strong desire for improvement in the mental health community. But, for that improvement to occur, we need desire and commitment from all.”
The report card is based on 65 criteria, including access to medication, housing, family education and support to National Guard members. It includes policy recommendations for federal and state leaders. State governments provided most of the information on which the grades are based.
Arkansas in the News
Click on these links to read what they have to say about this report:
Little Rock Family
KARK 4 News
Stuttgart Daily Leader
What's your reaction to this report and information?
Agree with it? Disagree with it? Either way, let us know what you think. We're gathering information and will compile (and edit if necessary) any comments and reactions and we'll post them on our website for all to see what Arkansas thinks about this. Then, we'll compile these to send to our legislators. Send your comments and reactions to nami-ar@nami.org and we'll post them.
Dear NAMI Arkansas friends,
As a concerned family member of a son who is diagnosed as having Schizophrenia, I am writing this letter to let you know about a pressing need in our state. As a patient at Arkansas State Hospital (ASH), my son receives nursing care from staff nurses on his Unit.
Attracting and retaining qualified nurses today is a challenge in any setting. Keeping nurses at ASH is even more of a challenge because their pay scale is lower than that of the University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences (UAMS) Hospital right across the street from ASH. In too many cases, ASH will hire and train a nurse, only to have her resign and go to work at UAMS Hospital because he/she can make a better salary there.
This frequent turnover results in poorer nursing care as the nurse on duty is unfamiliar with the patient and his/her routine, and the patient is constantly having to adjust to a new personality who is unfamiliar with his/her needs. Also, ASH has to hire "temps", nurses who hire out from an agency on a day to day basis. This results in higher costs to the state.
Arkansas has graded salary scales for nurses and other employees. This scale is applied statewide. The pay scale at UAMS Hospital is not mandated to abide by this statewide pay scale and is able to offer higher salaries to nurses. Arkansas State Hospital and University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences Hospital ought to be part of the same system. Their pay scale for nurses, as well as for Public Safety Officers, and other employees ought to be equal.
Thank you for your interest in this problem.
Sincerely,
Dorothy A. Wilson, RN, BSN, MnSc
If you share Mrs. Wilson's interest, please feel free to use this letter as a draft for you to use if you wish to contact your legislators.
NAMI Arkansas is accepting applications for Board of Directors for the state office.
Right now, we are accepting applications from all areas, but have great interest for the following regions:
Boone, Marion, Baxter, Newton, Searcy
Fulton, Izard, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, Independence, Cleburne, White, Jackson, Woodruff
Randolph, Clay, Greene, Lawrence, Craighead, Mississippi, Poinsett
Cross, Crittenden, St. Francis, Lee, Monroe, Phillips
Crawford, Franklin, Sebastian, Logan, Scott, Polk
Montgomery, Garland, Hot Spring, Pike, Clark
Grant, Jefferson, Arkansas, Cleveland, Lincoln
Desha, Drew, Bradley, Ashley, Chicot
Dallas, Quachita, Nevada, Calhoun, Columbia, Union
Howard, Sevier, Little River, Hempstead, Miller, Lafeyette
Other locations are welcome to apply also.
The board meets quarterly and if necessary, travel arrangements (mileage) can be arranged and currently the meetings are held on Saturdays. There is no stipulation of being a consumer or family member, but you will be asked about their interest in this area. It may be professional or otherwise, but you will be asked about this.
The application can be found HERE. Please fill it out and send it to the state office:
NAMI Arkansas
1012 Autumn Road, Suite 1
Little Rock, AR 72211
Related Files
Arkansas Prospective Board Member Profile Form (Word Document)
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Arkansas
