Expansion of traditional health workers in klamath county - since the ccbhc demonstration project began in april 2017, significant and measurable progress has been made in klamath county

Through ccbhc funding, klamath basin behavioral health (KBBH) has demonstrated staggering clinical and financial improvements in the areas of staffing, service array, and integrated care delivery to our most vulnerable residents. We have done this in part by incorporating traditional health workers (THW) into our integrated model of care. Thws, whether care coordinators or certified peer support specialists, serve a critical role in behavioral health services. Through professional training augmented by their lived experience, thws impact client lives with their ability to provide effective case management, care coordination, and through a variety of non-clinical activities and interactions that reduce relational poverty and build important life skills. Thws provide services where the client is emotionally, physically, and behaviorally. They provide hope and help guide the client to focus on recovery from mental health conditions and addiction while assisting individuals and their support networks to achieve positive health outcomes. The thws at KBBH are an integral component of our professional clinical team. As the community mental health program and only ccbhc service provider in an isolated, impoverished, rural community, we have seen a high impact in our clients' lives from the services our current thws provide. Despite uncertain funding, we are committed to continuing the expansion of THW services to a larger segment of our population. We know that excellence in care coordination and support from a certified peer support specialist improves clinical outcomes and continued success will be demonstrated by expanding the THW capacity beyond our severely mentally ILL clients. Every individual we serve deserves to have treatment barriers removed and to engage in skills building and training groups designed to enhance their quality of life.