Cherry health: ccbhc-PDI - cherry health's proposed project, "implementing a certified community behavioral health clinic in kent county" will ensure that comprehensive, high-quality behavioral health…

Cherry health: ccbhc-PDI - cherry health's proposed project, "implementing a certified community behavioral health clinic in kent county" will ensure that comprehensive, high-quality behavioral health care will be available to adults with severe and persistent mental illness (spmi), children with a serious emotional disturbance (SED), adults and children with substance use disorder (SUD) or CO-occurring disorder, veterans, and underserved populations. Adults and children with mild to moderate behavioral health issues are identified as subpopulations of focus within the project's geographic catchment area of kent county, michigan. In particular, cherry health's certified community behavioral health clinic (ccbhc) will strive to reach the 24% of kent county's medicaid population who are identified as persons living with 'any mental illness' - and even more specifically, the 47% of this population that goes without treatment. Cherry health anticipates serving 2,865 patients annually through the life of this project. Cherry health is well positioned to implement a ccbhc. Its present organizational structure as a federally qualified health center, integrated primary care and behavioral health services, patient population, payment policies, and current community partnerships already meet a majority of the ccbhc criteria. Cherry health is poised to expand and enhance its service delivery model by hiring additional staff to increase the capacity to serve more patients with spmi/SED/SUD needs. Cherry health will develop partnerships with hospitals, veteran organizations, schools, jails, and other community organizations to increase referrals to cherry health so that the unmet need in the community can be addressed. Additionally, this project will focus on enhancing care pathways and screening procedures to ensure patients are receiving the right care at the right time, and that natural supports are included in treatment planning at a greater rate. With its robust continuous quality improvement system, cherry health will be able to efficiently incorporate ccbhc metrics into this process so that project metrics are tracked and monitored to ensure goals and objectives are met. Through the use of evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solutions focused therapy, and more, cherry health will provide the nine core services of the ccbhc model in order to improve mental health and substance use outcomes, as well as support improved functioning in all life domains, such as housing and employment. Cherry health anticipates increased referrals and an increased number of patients seen for ccbhc services. This project is poised to fill a GAP in care for individuals currently unable to access these important services.