Grading the States 2009 Report Card: South Carolina

In 2006, South Carolina’s mental health system received a B grade, one of the few states to reach the B range. In 2009, its grade is a D. This precipitous drop reflects the devastation of community mental health care at a point when the state is struggling with a budget crisis. Full narrative (PDF).

Grades by Category Detailed Score Card (PDF)

Health Promotion and Measurement: F 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.
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.
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.
Community Integration and Social Inclusion: F 15% of Total Grade
Includes activities that require collaboration among state mental health agencies and other state agencies and systems.

Innovations

Telepsychiatry in rural hospital emergency rooms
Impact Program in Columbia
Services for veterans

Urgent Needs

Expansion of evidence-based practices
CIT and jail diversion
Mental health services in jails and prisons
Housing options
Access to care in rural areas

Additional Information and Resources

Full Narrative (PDF) | Detailed Score Card (PDF) | Full Report | Order Hard Copy

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Grading the States 2006 Report Card: South Carolina

"The commitment and capabilities of public mental health staff varies. It is amazing how in the face of continual economic cut-backs that many of these individuals have remained committed to their job."