71.24.300 - Regional support networks -- Inclusion of tribal authorities--Roles and responsibilities.

Regional support networks — Inclusion of tribal authorities — Roles and responsibilities.

(1) Upon the request of a tribal authority or authorities within a regional support network the joint operating agreement or the county authority shall allow for the inclusion of the tribal authority to be represented as a party to the regional support network.

     (2) The roles and responsibilities of the county and tribal authorities shall be determined by the terms of that agreement including a determination of membership on the governing board and advisory committees, the number of tribal representatives to be party to the agreement, and the provisions of law and shall assure the provision of culturally competent services to the tribes served.

     (3) The state mental health authority may not determine the roles and responsibilities of county authorities as to each other under regional support networks by rule, except to assure that all duties required of regional support networks are assigned and that counties and the regional support network do not duplicate functions and that a single authority has final responsibility for all available resources and performance under the regional support network's contract with the secretary.

     (4) If a regional support network is a private entity, the department shall allow for the inclusion of the tribal authority to be represented as a party to the regional support network.

     (5) The roles and responsibilities of the private entity and the tribal authorities shall be determined by the department, through negotiation with the tribal authority.

     (6) Regional support networks shall submit an overall six-year operating and capital plan, timeline, and budget and submit progress reports and an updated two-year plan biennially thereafter, to assume within available resources all of the following duties:

     (a) Administer and provide for the availability of all resource management services, residential services, and community support services.

     (b) Administer and provide for the availability of all investigation, transportation, court-related, and other services provided by the state or counties pursuant to chapter 71.05 RCW.

     (c) Provide within the boundaries of each regional support network evaluation and treatment services for at least ninety percent of persons detained or committed for periods up to seventeen days according to chapter 71.05 RCW. Regional support networks may contract to purchase evaluation and treatment services from other networks if they are unable to provide for appropriate resources within their boundaries. Insofar as the original intent of serving persons in the community is maintained, the secretary is authorized to approve exceptions on a case-by-case basis to the requirement to provide evaluation and treatment services within the boundaries of each regional support network. Such exceptions are limited to:

     (i) Contracts with neighboring or contiguous regions; or

     (ii) Individuals detained or committed for periods up to seventeen days at the state hospitals at the discretion of the secretary.

     (d) Administer and provide for the availability of all other mental health services, which shall include patient counseling, day treatment, consultation, education services, employment services as defined in RCW 71.24.035, and mental health services to children.

     (e) Establish standards and procedures for reviewing individual service plans and determining when that person may be discharged from resource management services.

     (7) A regional support network may request that any state-owned land, building, facility, or other capital asset which was ever purchased, deeded, given, or placed in trust for the care of the persons with mental illness and which is within the boundaries of a regional support network be made available to support the operations of the regional support network. State agencies managing such capital assets shall give first priority to requests for their use pursuant to this chapter.

     (8) Each regional support network shall appoint a mental health advisory board which shall review and provide comments on plans and policies developed under this chapter, provide local oversight regarding the activities of the regional support network, and work with the regional support network to resolve significant concerns regarding service delivery and outcomes. The department shall establish statewide procedures for the operation of regional advisory committees including mechanisms for advisory board feedback to the department regarding regional support network performance. The composition of the board shall be broadly representative of the demographic character of the region and shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of consumers and families, law enforcement, and where the county is not the regional support network, county elected officials. Composition and length of terms of board members may differ between regional support networks but shall be included in each regional support network's contract and approved by the secretary.

     (9) Regional support networks shall assume all duties specified in their plans and joint operating agreements through biennial contractual agreements with the secretary.

     (10) Regional support networks may receive technical assistance from the housing trust fund and may identify and submit projects for housing and housing support services to the housing trust fund established under chapter 43.185 RCW. Projects identified or submitted under this subsection must be fully integrated with the regional support network six-year operating and capital plan, timeline, and budget required by subsection (6) of this section.

[2008 c 261 § 4; 2006 c 333 § 106; 2005 c 503 § 11; 2001 c 323 § 17. Prior: 1999 c 214 § 8; 1999 c 10 § 9; 1994 c 204 § 2; 1992 c 230 § 6; prior: 1991 c 295 § 3; 1991 c 262 § 2; 1991 c 29 § 3; 1989 c 205 § 5.]

Notes: Intent -- Findings -- 2008 c 261: See note following RCW 71.24.320.

Finding -- Purpose -- Intent--Severability--Part headings not law--Effective dates -- 2006 c 333: See notes following RCW 71.24.016.

Correction of references--Savings--Severability--2005 c 503: See notes following RCW 71.24.015.

Intent -- Effective date -- 1999 c 214: See notes following RCW 72.09.370.

Purpose -- Intent -- 1999 c 10: See note following RCW 71.24.025.

Intent -- 1992 c 230: See note following RCW 72.23.025.

Evaluation of transition to regional systems -- 1989 c 205: See note following RCW 71.24.015.