Ohio Administrative Code Title 5119:80 - Joint Mental Health and Mental Retardation Advisory and Review Commission

Ohio Administrative Code Title 5119:80 – Joint Mental Health and Mental Retardation Advisory and Review Commission

📘 Overview:

Title 5119:80 of the Ohio Administrative Code refers to rules and regulations that govern the Joint Mental Health and Mental Retardation Advisory and Review Commission. This commission was created to oversee and provide input on state mental health and developmental disabilities policies in Ohio.

🏛️ Purpose of the Commission:

The Joint Mental Health and Mental Retardation Advisory and Review Commission was established to:

Review and evaluate mental health and developmental disabilities programs across the state.

Advise the General Assembly and state agencies on improving mental health and disability services.

Ensure accountability and proper use of public funds allocated for these services.

Coordinate between state departments (like the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) and community-based organizations.

👥 Membership and Structure:

The commission is typically composed of legislators, experts in mental health or developmental disabilities, advocates, and sometimes family members of individuals receiving services.

It is a joint commission, meaning it includes members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate of Ohio’s legislature.

📋 Duties and Functions:

Policy Review and Recommendations:

Reviews proposed state policies, laws, and regulations related to mental health and developmental disabilities.

Recommends improvements or changes to make systems more efficient and humane.

Budget Oversight:

Analyzes budget proposals for mental health and developmental disability services.

Ensures that the budget aligns with the state’s goals and the needs of people receiving services.

Program Evaluation:

Studies the effectiveness of programs for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

Looks at treatment outcomes, access to services, and client satisfaction.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Holds public hearings and seeks input from professionals, advocacy groups, service providers, and affected individuals.

Promotes transparency and public involvement in mental health policymaking.

🧠 Focus Areas:

Mental health treatment facilities and services.

Community-based mental health programs.

Services and rights of individuals with developmental disabilities (formerly referred to as "mental retardation," a term now considered outdated and offensive).

Integration of mental health and disability services into education, housing, and employment.

🕰️ Historical Context:

The term “mental retardation” has been phased out of official language over time and replaced with "developmental disabilities." However, older codes like this one might still carry the former terminology due to when they were written.

The commission played a larger role in earlier decades when oversight of large state hospitals and the move toward community-based care was a major policy issue.

Current Relevance:

Although this specific commission may have been reorganized or merged into newer structures (like advisory boards under the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services), the foundational goal remains:

To ensure that mental health and developmental disability services in Ohio are effective, properly funded, accessible, and humane.

 

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