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Grading the States 2009 Report Card: Tennessee
In 2006, Tennessee’s mental health care system received a grade of C. Three years later, the grade has fallen to a D. Tennessee is on a downward slide. Changes to TennCare have put great strains on the system, and many people don not have access to needed services. Full narrative (PDF).
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Health Promotion and Measurement: D 25% of Total Grade
Basic measures, such as the number of programs delivering evidence-based practices,
emergency room wait-times, and the quantity of psychiatric beds by setting.
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Financing & Core Treatment/Recovery Services: C 45% of Total Grade
A variety of financing measures, such as whether Medicaid reimburses providers for all, or part of evidence-based practices; and more.
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Consumer & Family Empowerment: C 15% of Total Grade
Includes measures such as consumer and family access to essential information from the
state, promotion of consumer-run programs, and family and peer education and support.
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Community Integration and Social Inclusion: D 15% of Total Grade
Includes activities that require collaboration among state mental health agencies and other state agencies and systems.
Innovations
- National leader on supportive housing
- Progress on jail diversion and law enforcement training
- Peer support centers throughout the state
Urgent Needs
- Expand the safety net program for former TennCare recipients
- Protect funding
- Address severe workforce shortages
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"When one doctor’s caseload is so enormous, how can they possibly offer much more help than a write for meds ... If you are not close to killing yourself or hurting others, then you’re stable enough for a quick dismissal."
"The new Crisis Stabilization Units were a great comfort. We were thankful that he could get crisis services without having to be committed. Now that may be in jeopardy."
"Funding is the thing I would most like to see changed in the system. Services are limited because of a lack of funding. Attracting stable, high caliber staff is difficult."
