SW Washington Behavioral Health expands

Posted

Nearly $9 million in expanded mental health services was approved by the Southwest Washington Behavioral Health (SWBH) Governing Board at its monthly meeting held December 12.

The funding was made possible through the Affordable Care Act and its respective expansion of Medicaid eligibility and funding. SWBH administers and coordinates public mental services in Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties.

“The expanded services will not only help fill gaps throughout the region,” said Connie Mom-Chhing, chief executive officer, “but proposals received from service providers will also deliver evidence-based practices, diversion from jails and hospitals, integrated physical health, mental health and chemical dependency services and specialized care for children.” 

The expansion includes contracts with five new providers and expanded contracts for services with three providers currently under contract with SWBH. Each contract includes one year of mental health services with a one-year extension option in a combined estimated amount not to exceed $8,898,647.

The following is a list of agencies awarded contracts, a brief description of services to be provided and contract award amount (*New SWBH service provider ):

• *A First Place (Cowlitz County) - Specialized treatment program that addresses the complex needs of individuals with co-occurring disorders and a history of interpersonal violence - $837,200. (Fills service gap and advances service integration)

• Children’s Home Society of Washington (Clark County) - Mental health services to child trauma victims exhibiting behavioral problems - $456,718. (Addresses clinical need, service gap and is evidence-based practice)

• Children’s Home Society of Washington (Rural north Clark County and rural south Cowlitz County) - Specialized mental health services to children ages 3-18 - $323,072. (Addresses clinical need and fills service gap and is evidence-based practice – first in State to offer program)

• *Community House on Broadway (Cowlitz County) - Mental health services to homeless individuals and families - $1,156,720. (Addresses clinical need and fills service gap)

• *Cowlitz County Health Department – Nurse/Family Partnership - a model home visitation program for pregnant women with formal mental health diagnosis - $195,852. (Addresses clinical need and fills service gap and is evidence-based practice)



• *Cowlitz County Human Services Department - Healthcare coordination program for individuals who have both serious mental illness and chronic physical illness - $208,318. (Addresses clinical need and fills service gap)

• Love Overwhelming (Cowlitz County) - Recovery-oriented treatment program for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders - $904,090. (Addresses clinical need and fills service gap)

• *Strengthening Foundations (Cowlitz County) - Mental health services for youth ages 11-18 and their families who have been referred for behavioral/emotional problems by the juvenile justice, mental health, school or child welfare systems - $600,000. (Addresses clinical need and fills service gap and is evidence-based practice)

• Telecare Corporation (Clark County) - Peer-based case management services for individuals discharged from the evaluation & treatment facility who need intensive after-care services - $940,822. (Addresses clinical need – strong diversion program)

• Cowlitz County Guidance Association - New integration of behavioral health and physical health services - $2,000,000. (Fills service gap, addresses integrated care)

• Cowlitz County Guidance Association (Cowlitz County) - Supported housing program for persons with multiple psychiatric hospitalizations and/or habitual use of emergency services and involvement with the criminal justice system - $727,755. (Addresses clinical need, fills service gap and is strong diversion program)

• Cowlitz County Guidance Association (Cowlitz County) - Coordination of pediatric mental health care for all Medicaid-eligible children who visit the St. John Medical Center Emergency Dept. and are discharged with a mental health diagnosis - $548,100. (Addresses clinical need)

SWBH Mission

To build and maintain a hopeful, strength-based, collaborative and empowering system of care to help those individuals and families in Southwest Washington with complex mental health, substance use and other health needs achieve personal goals and live, work and participate in their community.

For more information, call (360) 397-8222 or visit www.swbh.org.