The Four County ADAMhs Board approved contracts totaling more than $4.6 million for behavioral health services for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2013 at its meeting on Thursday, April 11.
Although allocations to specific providers will change next year, total spending on services is only about $200,000 less than it is for the current year.
Board CEO Les McCaslin explained that spending on free psychiatric medications for qualifying patients is about $200,000 over-budget this year, so spending for next year needs to be adjusted. For the last two years the Ohio Department of Mental Health had completely provided the board with funding for medications. However, this year the board’s original allocation was reduced by nearly $300,000, McCaslin said.
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Next year, the board will have access to psychiatric medications through Health Partners of Western Ohio at a much lower cost than it does now through the state’s central pharmacy. In fact, the board approved spending $64,000 for psychotropic medications through Health Partners of Western Ohio through the next fiscal year.
For nearly a year, the ADAMhs Board, Maumee Valley Guidance Center and Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio have been working with Health Partners of Western Ohio to integrate physical and behavioral health services.
As a result of that partnership, two medical offices were opened for patients early last month. Patients who meet income qualifications can now go to the Maumee Valley Guidance Center office in Defiance or the Recovery Services office in Bryan to see a primary care doctor for their physical health needs or an agency employee for a behavioral health need.
Health Partners of Western Ohio also staffs the offices with a nurse practitioner and a pharmacist.
During the first month of operation, nearly 200 patients were seen for a physical health care need. Most of those patients were clients of Maumee Valley Guidance Center or Recovery Services; however, the primary care doctor will see anyone who meets the income eligibility requirements.
The board approved the following contracts for services for FY14.
Center for Child and Family Advocacy, $141,511, which reflects a reduction of $71,000 from the current year, but still covers family violence services and the existing Olweus bullying program.
First Call for Help, Inc., $300,000 for emergency mental health crisis assessments and information and referral services.
Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio, $1,200,000, unchanged from the current year.
Four County Family Center, $624,232, which is a reduction of $296,952 from the current year due to transitioning of the community residential program to another agency.
Maumee Valley Guidance Center, $1,450,189, an increase of $332,189 largely due to managing the community residential program next year.
New Home Development Company, $262,060, which is unchanged from the current year.
Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission (P.A.T.H. Program), $65,000, which is a reduction of $20,000 from the current year.
The Fulton County Health Center, $500,000, which is an increase of $175,000. Through the Fulton Stress Unit, both inpatient and crisis stabilization services will be provided.
Other contracts approved by the board for next year include: Montgomery County ADAMHS Board, $45,000 for the management of claims processing and related services; Glenn Adult Foster Care in Toledo, $11,800 for a client placement; attorney Carla Davis of Toledo, $110 per hour to represent the board at civil commitment hearings; and Unison Behavioral Health Group in Toledo, $3,600 for a residential placement.
The board also voted to reimburse the Williams County Board of Developmental Disability up to $6,100 as its share of residential placement costs.
Some $18,172 in additional funding was approved for Recovery Services of Northwest Ohio as a result of money from the State Problem Gambling and Addictions Fund. The money can be spent on prevention or treatment services.
Next month’s board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at the ADAMhs Board office, T-761 State Route 66 south of Archbold.
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