WYOMING

Following the Olmstead decision, Wyoming's governor designated the state Department of Health (DOH) as the lead agency for developing a comprehensive plan to address home and community-based care for the state's disabled population. The draft plan was sent for public comment in April 2001. The plan was approved by the DOH director in July 2002 and released. The plan document includes separate plans for four population groups-aging, developmental disabilities, mental health and traumatic brain injury. The Olmstead Plan is at http://wdhfs.state.wy.us/OLMSTEAD/index.htm. Beginning in July 2004, the head of each affected state department and division will review and revise its plan at least every two years. An effort will be made to include more stakeholders in future planning processes.

The Legislature appropriated $524,884 in general funds and $787,325 in federal funds to be used to provide services to children who are waiting for assistance on the home and community-based waiver program for children with developmental disabilities.

Grants and Projects

The state continues to focus on coalition building to support Olmstead implementation. Mentally ill adults have been designated as the priority population for the current phase of implementation. The state received a $20,000 grant to fund mental health coalition building from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration by way of Advocates for Human Potential of Sudbury, Massachusetts. Wyoming worked in 2003 on building a crisis response system for people.

Next Steps

The Division of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Department of Family Services, will finalize a plan in the next phase of implementation and begin services shortly thereafter for children with mental disabilities. In 2004, the priorities of the Department of Health and the Department of Family Services will be to support and strengthen families. A primary barrier to implementation has been availability of staff to carry out activities.