§ 39-3121 — DECLARATION OF POLICY

It is the policy of this state to provide treatment services for its citizens living with mental illness and/or substance use disorder, acknowledging that these illnesses cause intense human suffering and severe social and economic loss to the state. Recognizing that there is insufficient funding to meet the many needs of Idahoans with behavioral health disorders, it is critical that the behavioral health system efficiently use existing and future resources and increase accountability for services and funding. Additionally, the system needs to distinguish between and accommodate for the difference in the treatment and support services for children, youth, adults and the transitions between them. Regional behavioral health services, providing early and appropriate diagnosis and treatment, have proven to be effective in reducing the adverse impact of these disorders and valuable in creating the possibility of recovery. Families play a key role in the successful treatment of behavioral health disorders and provision of services. Participation by consumers and their families in system governance is critical to ensure ongoing system improvements. Acknowledging the policy of the state to provide behavioral health services to all citizens in need of such care, it is the purpose of this chapter to delegate to the state behavioral health authority the responsibility and authority to establish and maintain regional behavioral health services in order to extend appropriate mental health and substance use disorder treatment services to its citizens within all regions of the state.

Legislative History

[39-3121, added 2014, ch. 43, sec. 2, p. 107.]