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1998 SESSION

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 151 Requesting the Department of Rehabilitative Services and the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services to work together to address the employability needs of persons with serious mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse problems.

Agreed to by the Senate, February 13, 1998 Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 1998

WHEREAS, a large number of Virginians with mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse problems seek help each year from state facilities and community programs; and

WHEREAS, the goal of Virginia's publicly funded mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse system is to assure that consumers have access to adequate, continuing supports and to services in those settings that promote the highest quality of life and that complement natural family and community resources; and

WHEREAS, the provision of the least intrusive levels of support will increase opportunities for people to build upon natural abilities and to take more control over their lives by making their own decisions about the services they want and need; and

WHEREAS, new and effective community programs have enabled numerous individuals to leave institutions and return to the community, family and jobs, and there is hope that many more will benefit similarly in the future; and

WHEREAS, job skills and employment opportunities enable consumers to gain some independence and contribute to their families' financial well-being; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Department of Rehabilitative Services and the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services be requested to work together to address the employability needs of persons with serious mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse problems.

The Departments shall complete their work in time to submit their findings and recommendations to the Governor and 1999 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.