Response

See reply to Number 7 above.

Require adequire documentation for all rent actions.

Response

The basic records on income supporting rent actions are now maintained by the Family Resources Division, Housing and Business Resources Administration (HBRA). The Property Management Administration continues to maintain the lease records. The necessary data is furnished to the Real Estate Division of HBRA in conformance with the periodic rent reviews schedule as shown on page 49 of the report and at other times on an as-needed basis to make rent determinations and adjustments. The Real Estate Division of HBRA maintains the documents on these rent actions.

Include temporary tenants in all rent establishment and adjustment procedures.

Response

Temporary tenants are included in the rent establishment and adjustment procedures.

UTILITIES

The Mayor should direct DHCD to: Periodically update utility allowances.

Response

Utility allowances were increased for public housing tenants on April 1, 1977, and present procedures provide for adjustments whenever utility companies change their rates. Utility allowances for urban renewal tenants in single-metered, multi-unit structures are being updated as part of the rent review process (see Number 7 above) and will be similarly adjusted when rates change.

GAO REPORT

safe which is located in a locked room at the Supplemental Food Program Office. Coupon books issued to the centers are kept in locked boxes in locked file cabinets which are located in the center director's office.

Any difference in the physical and perpetual inventory records of the food coupons will be investigated. TF an adjustment to the records is deemed necessary by the Director, Supplemental Food Program, the Director will approve such adjustment. A copy of the adjustment and investigation will be forwarded to the Office of the Controller, DHR for review and further action, if necessary.

Coupon books issued from the Central Supplemental Food Office to the distribution centers are accounted for by requiring the center director to sign for and acknowledge receipt of the coupons. Coupons are issued in sequential order and the center director is responsible for their accountability.

Recommendation

The Director, Supplemental Food Program, should determine the allowable quanitities of supplemental food that can be used for demonstrations and/or refreshments. The quantity used should not exceed allowable limits.

Status

In lieu of any written instructions concerning "allowable limits", DHR will continue to promote the Supplemental Food Program through nutrition education and outreach food demonstrations which will be monitored and controlled by the Director, Supplemental Food Program.

Realizing the necessity for the establishment of an "allowable limit", DHR will coordinate with the proper USDA officials to establish such limits within the mandates of their program.

Recommendation

That the Director, Office of Municipal Audit and Inspection (Now Office of Inspector General) make a review within the next several months to assure that all recommendations have been implemented and that the program is being effectively

The Department of Human Resources is cognizant of the necessity to evaluate the individual needs of patients in the adult, youth, and female alcoholic inpatient wards in Area C. These needs have been addressed as a matter of standard procedure.

However, in order to upgrade the level of evaluation and in the limits of available resources, the Mental Health Administration has reassigned a psychiatrist.

As indicated on page 92 of the Comptroller General's Report, the psychiatrist has been assigned to administer the clinical program for Combined Inpatient Services. He has assessed and coordinated the full range of clinical services including follow-up and completed a needs assessment of 10 patients in the program.

Plans to put into affect a program directed to address those needs are forthcoming.

Points of Special Concern

It should be noted however, that implementation of these plans has been limited by the lack of community based facilities and programs.

Recommendation

"Direct the Emergency Mental Health Services and Combined Adult Inpatient Services units to establish follow-up procedures for discharged patients."

Status

Follow-up procedures have been develope and are currently being implemented for Emergency Mental Health Services and Combined Adult Inpatient Services units.

Recommendation

"Provide resources to the community mental health centers partial hospitalization programs to the extent available and needed."

Actions Taken or Planned

The Department of Human Resources agrees with this recommendation and in an effort to further CMHC's partial hospitalization program, MHA requested additional funds in the fiscal year 1979 budget and to the extent available reassigned existing staff. The FY '79 Budget for Day Care Services in community rental health centers is as follows:

a. Area A CMHC - Day hospital includes 8 positions and $169.8.

b. Area B CMHC Adult services, outpatient, partial hospitalization, geriatric services and after care services include 16 positions and $336.6.

c. Area C CMHC Day Care and outpatient services includes 8 positions and $433.1.

Each community mental health center has reassigned staff in order to provide minimum services in the partial hospitalization program. Area A CMHC utilized volunteers in the day hospital to supplement five (5) full-time equivalent staff positions.

In order to ensure adequate program development at the Area B Partial Hospitalization Program, a social worker, a nurse and several nursing assistants were reassigned. Also, viable part-time working arrangements and professional input were received from a part-time art therapist, a vocational rehabilitation counselor, and a recreational therapist. A full-time manual arts therapist was also assigned to the program and medical consultation is available on a parttime basis.

In the Area C CMHC, two social workers were detailed to provide supervision and coordination of the outreach and partial hospitalization services; and the Day Care Program for Alcoholics. A medical officer was detailed to assure adequate medical coverage and a nursing assistant was reassigned to provide adequate nursing coverage. For further coverage, a CETA employee has been assigned to the Day Care Program for Alcoholics.

Points of Special Concern

To provide more comprehensive day care services at the Community mental health centers, the following additional staff are required:

GAO REPORT