Title
Approve and authorize the Director of Health to accept a four-year federal grant from the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to incorporate primary care and wellness services in behavioral health clinics.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of Health to accept a four-year federal grant from the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to incorporate primary care and wellness services in behavioral health clinics.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Health Department has been awarded a four (4) year Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) federal grant to incorporate primary care and wellness services in behavioral health clinics. The overarching goal of the “Connections to Wellness/Conexion al bienestar” (“Bienestar”) project is to improve access to health care for low income, seriously mentally ill adults in Monterey County.
This request is to authorize the Director of Health to accept a four-year federal grant from SAMHSA in the amount of $1.6 million dollars to incorporate primary care and wellness services into behavioral health clinic settings.
The main goals of the “Bienestar” project are to: increase the number of mentally ill adults receiving integrated health care services; reduce disparities in access to services, in particular for Latinos and other underserved populations; reduce hospitalizations and acute care visits; implement data systems to control/reduce the costs of care; and create a sustainable program that will continue after the grant concludes in October 29, 2016. The Department views “Bienestar” as an important element towards successful local implementation of health care reform.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
FINANCING:
The FY 2012-13 Adopted Budget for Health does not include specified expenditures and revenue for this grant. Health will coordinate with the County Administrative O...
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