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Department of Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services

Report

The report addresses the Division of Behavioral Health Services’ oversight of the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs), contractors that administer and provide behavioral health services for the State. We found that the Division has made significant improvements in their oversight efforts since our last review in 1996 (see Auditor General Report No. 96-19). The Division has added qualified staff, enhanced monitoring tools, and performance indicators. However, the Division still needs to improve its monitoring of service accessibility and obtain more complete and accurate information about the services clients receive, and the treatment outcomes.

The report also recommends that the Legislature establish priorities for the use of non-Medicaid monies allocated to the Division. Such priorities can help establish some consistency among geographic regions in the types of services delivered to non-Medicaid clients and the types of clients who receive non-Medicaid services. Finally, the report provides an update on the Department’s status in meeting the conditions of the 1981 Arnold v. Sarn court decision, which requires the Department to increase services to persons with serious mental illnesses living in Maricopa County.