Assessment of Human Resource Efficacy for Virginia Mental Health Facilities

Led by Mary Beth Dunkenberger, Nancy White, and Bryce Hoflund, VTIPG assessed the current environment of human resource capacities and per diem rates of state facilities to guide the efficient and effective distribution of resources among the 15 state mental health facilities in Virginia. Informed by the current context and national best practices, VTIPG evaluated staffing levels, patient acuity and external workforce dynamics and other factors impacting per diem rates at state facilities, to determine a range of staffing ratios and other cost assumptions for serving the Department’s constituency populations. While administrative data is available on state facilities, the accuracy of this information was verified, with each facility’s context and needs taken into account. 

To assist what was formerly known as the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) as it addressed policy implementation and management decisions, VTIPG’s role was to identify national best practices and perform comparative research to identify key quality indicators used by other states related to efficient and effective staffing levels; to conduct analysis and verification of existing administrative data based on clinical level of care and the population being served; and identify factors that affect per diem rate sensitivity.  Finally, VTIPG developed recommendations for next steps to model and establish efficient and effective staffing levels for the Department’s facilities.