Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Practice Exam

What was the purpose of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS)?

1. To promote institutional care for people with mental illnesses

2. To create more mental health facilities

3. To end the inappropriate institutionalization of people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities

4. To develop outpatient programs for mental health

The correct answer is: To end the inappropriate institutionalization of people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities

The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act was primarily established to end the inappropriate institutionalization of individuals with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. This legislation emerged from concerns about the rights of individuals who were often confined in mental health facilities without proper justification or adequate treatment. The Act aimed to ensure that people could not be involuntarily committed to institutions unless they posed a danger to themselves or others, and that appropriate due process protections were in place for those being evaluated for such commitments. By focusing on preventing unnecessary institutionalization, the LPS Act emphasized the need for community-based care and services, allowing individuals to receive support within their communities rather than in segregated settings. This shift reflected a broader movement toward more humane treatment approaches and respecting the autonomy and rights of individuals with mental health conditions.