FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - the valley homeless healthcare program (VHHP)'S behavioral health services expansion project will increase access to behavioral health services for a…

FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - the valley homeless healthcare program (VHHP)'S behavioral health services expansion project will increase access to behavioral health services for a vulnerable, hard-to-engage special population: homeless people with CO-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Integrated services at a VHHP site in a mental health professional shortage area will include the following. Substance use disorder (SUD) services: walk-in screening and assessment, motivational interventions, treatment planning, stage-wise counseling interventions, and linkages to indicated intensive out-patient and residential treatment and recovery supports. Hospital outreach will engage patients receiving acute care for SUD-related conditions and connect them to VHHP services. Medications for opioid disorder (MOUD) services will include same day access to buprenorphine, monitoring, and medically monitored withdrawal management. Mental health services: walk-in screening and assessment; diagnosis; treatment planning; evidence-based, culturally responsive treatment interventions; medication management; and case management linkages to out-patient and residential treatment programs and recovery supports. All patients will be connected to VHHP integrated primary medical care and housing resources. VHHP will use key strategies to increase access to behavioral health services. Walk-in/same day services will meet the needs of homeless patients who have difficulty keeping track of days, time and appointments. Services will emphasize relationship-building to counter the barriers that impede access to behavioral health services for unhoused people. VHHP providers and staff have demonstrated ability to understand and work effectively with homeless patients with CO-occurring disorders. Providers and staff are able to engage homeless patients who mistrust service providers and highly value their autonomy by avoiding judgment, prioritizing patients' self-determined needs, and being appropriately flexible. They have the skills to identify and deal with behaviors related addiction, mental illness, and/or responses to trauma and the stress of surviving homelessness. VHHP is adding one FTE mental health/SUD provider and new MOUD providers who will be part of an multi-disciplinary team. Bhse will increase the number of patients receiving SUD services patients from 0 in 2023 to 250 or more in the 2025 UDS, MOUD services patients from 156 to 306 and mental health services patients from 1,695 in 2023 to 1,995 or more in the 2025 UDS. We estimate that 400 new unduplicated patients will receive services. Services will be based at our valley health center - moorpark clinic and other VHHP sites.