NC DHHS Considers Private Contract for Evaluation and Care of Defendants With Mental Illnesses

OPEN MINDS Weekly News Wire – Social Services On December 7, 2010, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued a public "request for information" to private firms interested in opening a facility to house about 90 forensic patients, including those in maximum security. The RFI asked for service and cost estimates to provide the psychiatric evaluations that help determine whether an accused person exhibiting signs of mental illness is competent to stand trial. The services would replace those currently provided by Dorothea Dix Hospital, which is slated for closure.DHHS received three responses by the January 5 . . .