Program Description

  Access To Behavioral Health Services

Access to Behavioral Health Services connects uninsured and low-income consumers with mental health and/or substance abuse problems to the appropriate community services. Staff provide information and referral, and behavioral health screenings and assessments. To provide effective engagement in needed services, program staff also provide short-term case management and psychiatric services to vulnerable clients such as those recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital or jail until they can be linked to a community outpatient mental health program. More intensive social work services are provided to individuals with serious mental illness to ensure effective engagement in needed services and sufficient community supports to reduce negative outcomes, and foster the wellness and recovery of the consumer. The program offers services at a central office and is collocated with HHS Income Supports offices and the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation Pre-trial Services. The Federal/State Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness funds some services to target the re-entry needs of mentally-ill individuals in the criminal justice system. The Urine Monitoring Program serves clients referred by the courts, social service agencies, or behavioral health providers, and others required to submit to breathalyzer and urine surveillance or who require or request such screening and testing to support recovery from substance abuse.