The Division of Administration provides technical, financial and management support to the department’s service divisions via several specialized sections. The division houses several bureaus/offices: the Bureau of Data Management, the Bureau of Finance, and the Bureau of Human Resources; the Offices of Administrative Support Services; Contracts; Land and Construction; Life Safety and Technical Services; Pre-Admission Screening (OBRA); and Staff Development.

Bureau of Data Management

The Bureau of Data Management provides information technology services for the Central Office and all its operational facilities and offices. Major systems supported for departmental use include the Financial Resources Management Systems (FRMS), the Comprehensive Mental Health and Mental Retardation Information Systems (CARES), the Mediware Pharmacy System and the Alabama Community Services Information System (ACSIS). An assortment of smaller systems is also maintained to support MI Community Program Residential Bed Management, ID Community Program Incident Tracking, ID Waiting List, patient/client payroll, property inventory and Medicaid payment processing and distribution. Within this Bureau is the Telecommunications Section which is responsible for policies, support, and services for the department’s data, voice and video systems to include facility networks and devices, connectivity to the State’s mainframe, the department’s Local Area Network (LAN), the state’s Wide Area Network (WAN) and the state and public carriers voice network services.

Bureau of Finance

The Bureau of Finance includes the following sections: Accounting Operations, Budgets and Analysis, Accounts Payable, Contracts and Grants Accounting, Purchasing, Special Projects, and Compensation Services (Payroll). The Bureau coordinates and provides centralized accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, purchasing, vendor payments, and contract and grant financial management.

Bureau of Human Resources

The Department of Mental Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications will be accepted and appointments made on an equal opportunity basis without regard to gender, race, age, religion, disability, or color.

The Human Resources Management Bureau provides centralized personnel services for the department. Our Central Personnel Office coordinates the implementation of the department’s recruitment plan, personnel policies and procedures, wage and class studies, etc. Exempt job vacancy announcements throughout the department are processed through the Central Personnel Office.

Office of Administrative Support Services

The Office of Administrative Support Services includes the Document Services Center (Copy Center), Printing, Mailroom, and Property Management.

Office of Contracts

This office issues Requests for Proposals required for professional services contracts, and issues all contracts and amendments to contractors after appropriate reviews and approvals. The Office of Contracts expedites the contracting process and saves time and money by using the electronic method of sending/receiving information on contracts.

Office of Land and Construction Management

The Department of Mental Health’s Office of Land and Construction manages property owned by the department throughout Alabama, and oversees renovations/construction at its facilities.

Office of Life Safety and Technical Services

More than 95% of Alabama consumers with mental disabilities are served by community contract providers. The Office of Life Safety and Technical Services is responsible for inspecting and certifying all community facilities and providing technical assistance for code compliance for all renovations or new construction projects for facilities that are already certified or will be seeking certification from the department.

Office of Pre-Admission Screening (OBRA)

The Alabama Department of Mental Health’s OBRA Pre-admission Screening Office is responsible for maintaining a system to regulate the appropriate placement of residents and prospective nursing home patients who have a serious mental illness and/or intellectual disability related condition.

Office of Staff Development

The Office of Staff Development coordinates, offers, and supports a wide range of organized training and educational activities, programs, workshops, conferences, and continuing education programs designed to meet the educational needs of the department. This office provides maintenance of professional licensures and certifications for personal and professional development.