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HOME > ABOUT > PRESS > CLINICS GET FUNDED TO EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Article published - January 14, 2008
Three RCHC Clinics Get Funded to Expand Mental Health Services
CREDIT: RCHC Press Release
The County Medical Services Program (CMSP) Governing Board granted $887,250 over three years to three area health centers for a behavioral health pilot project. The grant spans from January 2008 to February 2011.
Petaluma Health Center, Southwest Community Health Center (in Santa Rosa), and West County Health Centers (in Occidental) will collaboratively implement a joint mental health project and substance abuse project targeting CMSP members.
Through this CMSP grant pilot program, the clinics will be able to provide mental, behavioral and substance abuse services to more than 500 patients who currently receive only medical services from the three clinics.
The goal of the program is to screen for mental health problems and intervene with appropriate treatment early, before patients escalate and need hospital services. In 2006, the Petaluma Health Center provided medical treatment to 1600 CMSP covered patients. For 2008, Southwest Community Health Center, with the new addition of the Family Practice Program this year, will have about 1600 CMSP patients, and West County Health Services cares for about 400 CMSP patients per year.
“We believe that about 70% of this combined group of 3600 patients, or almost 2600, will benefit from mental health and substance abuse services, said Kathie Powell, CEO of Petaluma Health Center. “Being able to provide care for 500 more people per year will be a fantastic improvement over current services. We’re pleased to work with nearby clinics to provide this valuable service to southern Sonoma County.”
Petaluma Health Center is a full-service, family centered program where over 100 employees provide health care for the whole family, as well as obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, dental, and group visits to help patients manage pain, diabetes, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. With an $8 million total budget, PHC relies heavily on grants and donations.
((Further information: www.cmspcounties.org. or through Sonoma County Mental Health Services Division Director Art Ewart.))
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