South Carolina Department of Mental Health
FY 09 Best Management Practices Assessment
As required by Proviso 89.57, FY 08-09 Appropriations Act
By September 1 of each year, agencies appropriated funds in this act must report on their website a self assessment of the agency's use of the following best practices during the prior fiscal year. Agencies are encouraged to partner with other agencies for a peer review process. For each of the best practices, the agency must publicly rate itself as in compliance, in progress, or in non-compliance. State institutions of higher education are exempt from this requirement.
1) Integration of Planning and Budgeting: The agency employs a multi-year strategic planning process that links the planning process with the annual budget review.
SCDMH is in compliance.
2) Internal Audit: The agency utilizes an active internal audit process that includes: (a) programmatic reviews along with fiscal reviews; (b) consistent follow-up on audit findings; and (c) reporting of the internal audit function to the institutional head and/or to the governing board, if applicable. Agencies that cannot afford a separate internal audit staff should use internal reviews that serve the same function as an internal auditor.
SCDMH is in compliance.
3) Collaboration and Partnerships: The agency demonstrates financially beneficial collaborative efforts with other public entities in performance of business functions including, as applicable, but not limited to, financial management, energy management, printing and publications, mail service, procurement, warehousing, public safety, security, space utilization, and parking.
SCDMH is in compliance.
4) Outsourcing and Privatization: The agency examines opportunities for contracting out various business functions, has performed cost analyses, and has implemented, where economically feasible, cost saving contracts.
SCDMH is in compliance.
5) Process Analysis: The agency makes a critical examination of its business processes in an effort to increase productivity, reduce waste and duplication, and improve the quality of services provided to its internal customers.
SCDMH is in compliance.
6) Use of Automation and Technology: The agency uses a long range plan for improved use of technology to enhance business processes and takes deliberate efforts to implement this technology within budget constraints.
SCDMH is in compliance.
7) Energy and Other Resource Conservation and Management: The agency uses a plan to conserve energy and other resources and has demonstrated positive results from the plan.
SCDMH is in compliance.
8) Preventive and Deferred Maintenance: The agency uses a regular program of preventive maintenance to preserve its physical assets and has developed a plan to address overdue maintenance needs for its facilities.
SCDMH is in compliance.
9) Alternate Revenue Sources: The agency makes substantial efforts to identify and secure alternate revenue sources (excluding categorical grants for specific functions) to supplement funds available from state appropriations.
SCDMH is in compliance.
10) External Annual Financial Audit Findings: The agency minimizes or avoids all management letter and single audit findings in the annual audit performed or supervised by the State Auditor, especially violations of state law, material weaknesses, and single audit “findings” and “questioned costs.”
SCDMH is in compliance.
11) External Review Findings: The agency minimizes or avoids all non-compliance findings related to its business practices in external reviews and audits.
SCDMH is in compliance.
12) Long Range Capital Plan: The institution uses a long range (minimum three to five years) capital improvement plan for major capital requirements for its buildings and has, subject to fund availability, begun implementation of the plan.
SCDMH is in compliance.
13) Risk Management: The agency has an active risk management program in place to minimize its losses.
SCDMH is in compliance.