Project provides 15 organizations a platform to develop new integrated service models

For more information, contact Communications@thenationalcouncil.org or 202.684.7457.

Washington, DC (July 13, 2011) — The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS) announced today the 15 organizations selected for the CIHS Integrated Health Provider Learning Collaborative. The Collaborative provides a learning environment for the selected community mental health and addiction providers to assess, build and share outcomes related to their organizations’ efforts to integrate behavioral healthcare and primary care.

“Progress in our understanding of the interdependency of general good health and freedom from mental illness and addictions make integration an expectation — not an exception,” said Linda Rosenberg, National Council President and CEO. “Mental health parity, coverage expansions and emerging practice paradigms offer the possibilities of new, integrated approaches to health. The Collaborative will support behavioral health organizations as they explore and implement the service models and work flow processes necessary to address the whole health needs of people living with mental illnesses and addictions.”

The Integrated Health Provider Learning Collaborative is a nine-month project involving 15 community mental health and addiction provider organizations that were chosen through a competitive application process. The Collaborative creates a platform for participating organizations to effectively bridge the traditionally distinct primary care and behavioral healthcare practices in their communities. 

The selected organizations are:

APT Foundation Inc – New Haven, Conn.
Brandywine Counseling and Community Services – Wilmington, Del.
Centennial Mental Health Center – Sterling, Colo.
Community Health Resources – Windsor, Conn.
Community Services Northwest –Vancouver, Wash.
Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living (Edgewater Systems) – Gary, Ind.
Gwinnett Rockdale Newton Community Service Board – Lawrenceville, Ga.
Mecklenburg County Provided Services Organization, Substance Abuse Services Division – Charlotte, N.C.
Mental Health Center of Dane County – Madison, Wis.
Mosaic Community Services – Baltimore, Md.
New Age Services Corporation – Chicago, Ill.
North East Ohio Health Services – Beachwood, Ohio
Operation PAR, Inc. – Pinellas Park, Fla.
Phoenix Houses of the Mid-Atlantic – Arlington, Va.
Seven Counties Services, Inc – Louisville, Ky.

The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions promotes the development of integrated primary and behavioral health services to better address the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use conditions, whether seen in specialty behavioral health or primary care provider settings. CIHS offers technical assistance and resources for all those who are committed to addressing the complete healthcare needs of these individuals. CIHS is run by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare under a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and funded jointly by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources Services Administration.