Technical Assistance Programs

NASMHPD manages a diverse portfolio of programs focused on effectively identifying and responding to the training and technical assistance needs of State Mental Health Agencies, consumers, families, and planning and advisory councils in a variety of administrative, financial, clinical, and program areas.

Topic areas include co-occurring mental health and addictive disorders; housing; employment; trauma/violence; the reduction and eventual elimination of seclusion and restraint; state mental health disaster planning; facilitating recovery-oriented systems of care; cultural competence; and strategic services planning and evaluation.

The ultimate goals of policy analysis, training and technical assistance are the development and implementation of effective systems of care that serve adults with serious mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, and persons with addictive disorders. NASMHPD’s approach recognizes that in order to achieve these goals, training and technical assistance must bring to bear the highest levels of subject matter expertise and must involve a broad range of key interests and stakeholders, including peers who can offer unique perspectives and expertise.

The NASMHPD Research Institute, Inc. (NRI), our affiliate for technical assistance concerning data and evaluations, responds to current needs for objective analyses and basic information and attempts to facilitate the application of research findings to the management of state mental health programs. The NRI compiles data and conducts research activities on various aspects of state mental health systems, many of which support the development of policies and programs.

NASMHPD’s current programs tasked with this important effort are the National Technical Assistance Center for State Mental Health Planning (NTAC), and the Transformation Transfer Initiative (TTI).

NTAC

Targeted Technical Assistance Project: A History