Disability Law Center Of Alaska Files Complaint Against State DHHS For Mental Health Evaluation Wait Times

On October 19, 2018, the Disability Law Center (DLC) of Alaska issued a complaint against the state for placing people under civil commitment in jails while waiting for mental health competency evaluation and treatment. The complaint names the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Division of Behavioral Health, and the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API). No hearing date has been set.

On October 6, 2018, API notified its external partners that it was at capacity and could not accept psychiatric referrals at that time due to high resident acuity, workforce shortage, and increased staff injury rates. On October . . .