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a <br />2. While additional needs assessments and program evaluations may <br />prove useful in "fine tuning" the Board's allocation methodology, <br />to focus on this aspect of the process is to ignore the central <br />issue while focusing on detail. <br />3. The Consultant's statement that "it makes no sense to destroy <br />existing priority programs in order to shift resources to establish <br />programs elsewhere" maintains the status quo and ignores the heavy <br />concentration of priority populations within the four county area. <br />This statement also negates the Board's responsibility for District <br />wide planning. <br />4. Additional costly and time consuming studies by more consultants <br />are not needed. The Board has sufficient hard data on both the <br />characteristics of the District population and the provider agencies <br />to address the allocation issue immediately. <br />S. In conclusion, the Consultant's report provides the Board with little <br />useful information, virtually no guidance, and a great deal of smoke. <br />After reviewing the report, the District Board agreed to reject any allo- <br />cation policy based on per capita and to develop its allocation policy based <br />on need. In addition, the Board agreed to provide IRCMHC with 10 "spill over" <br />beds for crisis and residential services. It was recognized that these beds <br />would be in Palm Beach County and would require a transportation system. <br />I appreciate your consideration of my request to report to the Commission <br />during the week of May 2 - 6. <br />Sincerely, <br />i - CU/ <br />John R. AshcraftACSW <br />Executive Director <br />John R. Ashcraft, Executive Director of the Indian <br />River Community Mental Health Center, addressed the Board on <br />the following items: <br />Indian River Branch Office <br />They are in the process of upgrading the quality of <br />treatment in this program and are pleased to announce that <br />they have employed an extremely well qualified branch <br />director, Patricia Davis Smith, who will be joining the <br />staff May 23, 1983. <br />Mental Health District Board. <br />The District Board has been forced to reexamine its <br />functions and its policies. The Board has finally adopted a <br />funding allocation and contracting policy which represents a <br />major step forward in that it provides an outline for the <br />61 <br />MAY 4 1983 8XK 53 <br />