Preparations for NEW Behavioral Health Crisis Center Underway at Adult & Child Health
In an effort to decrease unnecessary emergency room visits and jail incarcerations, integrated healthcare provider Adult & Child Health (A&C) will use its recently awarded Vitality Grant of $500,000 to implement a Behavioral Health Crisis Center at the organization’s Indianapolis clinic. This crisis stabilization program will provide adults experiencing a mental crisis with a safe, comfortable, monitored care environment, and access to an array of mental health, addictions, and primary care services, including an on-site behavioral health prescriber. The launch of A&C’s crisis center aligns with Indiana’s plan to implement the SAMHSA Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) service continuum statewide. A&C was one of eight Indiana community mental health centers recently selected to serve as a proposed pilot site in the Division of Mental Health and Addictions (DMHA) application for a federal CCBHC Demonstration Project. In the CCBHC model of care, crisis centers in the community play a prominent role in assuring individuals have timely access to services when urgent needs arise. Located at 8320 Madison Avenue in Indianapolis, the new program is scheduled to open in March 2024. Services will be available to immediate walk-ins, persons brought by family or friends, and those referred by healthcare providers, mobile crisis teams, and/or law enforcement officers, who are often first on the scene when a mental health crisis occurs. Hospital emergency rooms, where patients often experience long wait times, historically have been the only available option for those experiencing a mental health crisis – most crises happen during evenings and weekends. A&C’s Behavioral Health Crisis Center will be open during these hours, providing access to care when it is most needed while alleviating pressure on local emergency rooms. “Time is always critical in a mental health crisis, and the quicker we can intervene, the better,” said Lauran Canady, Vice President of Integrated Health. “We know our hospitals are there should we need them, but this program will be a tremendous benefit for persons in need of a more appropriate level of care.” Utilizing a “Living Room” approach to assessment and stabilization, persons treated at the Crisis Center will receive individualized support and services from a peer recovery specialist, masters-level therapist, and an APRN who can prescribe medication, if necessary, in a calming therapeutic setting. Individuals also will have access to the entirety of A&C’s services, including aftercare to ensure services continue after discharge. “On behalf of Adult & Child Health, I would like to thank Mental Health America of Indianapolis and the City of Indianapolis for the Vitality grant that has allowed us to build a crisis receiving and stabilization program – this is a desperately needed resource in our community and one we are so grateful to be able to develop,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Negendank, A&C.
Adult & Child Plans to Join Brightli Behavioral Health System
The Boards of Directors for Indianapolis-based Adult & Child Health and Springfield, Missouri-based Brightli, Inc. have signed documents expressing the companies’ intent to create a formal partnership between the two nonprofit organizations. Under the agreement, Adult & Child Health (A&C), a state-designated Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), would join nearly a half dozen other behavioral and community health providers as member organizations of Brightli, the nation’s fourth-largest nonprofit behavioral health organization by total revenue. The partnership has been approved by each company’s board and is anticipated to be finalized in coming weeks pending regulatory approval. A public signing and press conference will be announced once the partnership closes, which is expected in early 2024. The partnership will significantly increase financial and system support resources available to Adult & Child, for the benefit of those with behavioral health needs in central Indiana. “To expand services in our communities, we need altogether new and different approaches,” said A&C President and CEO Allen Brown. “With Brightli we’ve found a tremendous partner who is willing to dream big, and I know they feel the same way about Adult & Child.” Indiana is one of 10 states selected to participate in the second round of the federal Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration project, beginning next year. Missouri was part of the first cohort of demonstration states in 2017; CCBHC has since become state law. In coming months, the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction is expected to announce which Community Mental Health Centers will be part of the state’s first round of CCBHC demonstration agencies. “The CCBHC approach for community mental health is exactly what’s needed, and the time is now. Effective implementation and optimization of the CCBHC model truly changes the trajectory of what is possible in the behavioral health space,” Brown added. Brightli’ s existing member organizations include multiple CMHC/CCBHCs, including the second largest CCBHC in the country, Burrell Behavioral Health. In the first five years under CCBHC in Missouri, Burrell’s total revenue grew by 125%, clients served grew by 163%, and it added 1,000 employees to its statewide workforce. Dr. C.J. Davis is CEO of Brightli. Davis previously served as CEO of an Indiana CMHC from 2012 to 2017. “I have never stopped caring about Indiana or following the progress of the behavioral health industry here,” Davis said. “To be able to return, and to do so through a company with the legacy and respect that A&C carries in this community, is a dream come true. Brightli shares the commitment to mission this team lives out every day, and I am truly excited to see what we can do together.” “The fact that Indiana is such a forward-thinking state, with strong leadership at the very top, will only aid our efforts to recruit top-of-field providers to the Hoosier State,” Davis added. Upon approval, A&C will retain its board of directors and continue to operate under the Adult & Child Health name, serving its existing area of downtown Indianapolis, greater Marion and Johnson counties, and the surrounding region. As a Brightli affiliate, A&C will be positioned within a family of systems, able to receive significant resources and support from the parent organization. Adult & Child Health joins Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, and other subsidiaries under the Brightli umbrella. Burrell and Preferred Family each have various subsidiaries and affiliates, providing a full behavioral health (CMHC) and community health (FQHC) continuum, including dental services, as well as significant developmental services operations. Brightli currently serves more than 100,000 individuals in four states. With the addition of A&C, Brightli would employ some 5,500 individuals with total revenue of more than $500 million. “The landscape for mental health care is changing. A&C could not be more excited to be at the forefront of that change with Brightli as our long-term partners in Indiana,” Brown said. About Adult & Child Health:Adult & Child Health, a Joint Commission accredited community mental health center and Federally Qualified Healthcare Center Look Alike (FQHC) in Central Indiana, strives for equitable, caring communities where all people can live healthy, purposeful lives. Services include behavioral health, primary care, social services, and addictions treatment, all of which are designed to provide quick, affordable, and efficient access to high quality care. Please visit adultandchild.org for more information. About Brightli:Brightli, Inc.’s subsidiaries include Burrell Behavioral Health (including Comprehensive Mental Health Services), Preferred Family Healthcare and Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health. While these organizations operate independently and are governed by separate board of directors, their operations and services benefit from this parent-company model, which allows them to collaborate, share resources and system supports, increase recruiting and retention efforts, increase access to specialized care, and meet the growing demand for behavioral and addiction recovery care. Alone, organizations may be able to navigate the current tumultuous healthcare environment, but we believe that together we can do so much more than survive. Our communities need us now more than ever, and by working together we are ready to answer their call for years to come. In all, Brightli member organizations total more than 5,000 employees in four states, with annual revenues of nearly $450 million.
Mental Health Organizations and Providers Applaud Indiana Lawmakers and Governor for Enacting Critical Mental Health Legislation Amidst Growing Need for Services and Dire Workforce Shortages
Today Governor Holcomb signed legislation into law HEA 1222 that would continue a critical grant program that has expanded access to urgently needed mental health and substance use disorder treatment services across the state of IN. The program is known as the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (or CCBHC) program. CCBHCs are designed to provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services to vulnerable individuals; with an emphasis on the provision of 24-hour crisis care, utilization of evidence-based practices, care coordination and integration with physical health care. In Indiana, there are currently 18 CCBHC grantees throughout the state that are recipients of federal grants designed to jumpstart the CCBHC program. Initial evaluation outcomes from Indiana CCBHC program have shown a 73% reduction of depression and a 93% reduction of clients hospitalized for mental health reasons. Now, HEA 1222 will build upon these successes. “Around the state our community providers have seen demand for services sky rocket” said Zoe Frantz, CEO for the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers. “That’s why today’s announcement, of Governor Holcomb signing the CCBHC legislation into law is such incredible news for the continued work of these programs and the people they serve every day. Ultimately, this program gives providers more tools to ensure those in need, will get the help they need when they reach out.” Adult and Child Health (A&C) became a CCBHC in April of 2021 and, in the first 10 months, they’ve successfully supported 741 people in crisis through their CCBHC team. In addition to their 24/7 crisis response team, A&C Health has worked very closely with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department to increase immediate access to mental health professionals to support police response to calls involving people in crisis. The two entities have found synergy in developing tandem training and crisis response programming to better support the needs of Johnson County. Under the leadership of Sheriff Burgess and Deputy Jim Engmark, nearly 100 law enforcement personnel have been trained in the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programming, which is an innovative community-based approach to improve outcomes for people who experience mental illness when they have encounters with law enforcement. “Our heightened partnership with A&C provides a beneficial impact for law enforcement and our ability to change the potential outcome for people we encounter who are experiencing a mental health-related crisis. We’ve been able to deliver immediate support for Johnson County residents through A&C’s crisis teams and prevent unnecessary jail or ER placements,” said Deputy James Engmark of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, CCBHCs have played a transformative role in addressing workforce shortages, creating a more integrated care delivery system, and ensuring providers meet quality metrics. Providers advocating for HEA 1222 see the legislation as an opportunity to provide better access and higher quality care through the state. Programs such as CCBHCs give community behavioral health agencies more tools successfully recruit and retain additional staff members as well as resources to ensure that consumers have access to critical, evidence based services.” “The legislation, HEA 1222, that was signed into law today requires the state to develop a plan for the expansion of the CCBHC program by November 1, 2022. The behavioral health community has already seen demonstrable results from the CCBHC program and looks forward to supporting the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) in developing a statewide infrastructure that meets the growing need for mental health services in Indiana,” said Steve McCaffrey, CEO of Mental Health America of Indiana. “We’re grateful for the leadership of Rep Cindy Ziemke, Rep Ann Vermilion, Sen. Mike Crider and the other members of the Indiana General Assembly, Department of Mental Health and Addiction, and Governor Holcomb for the passage of this critical mental health legislation.” For more information on CCBHCs, please visit the CCBHC Success Center, here. Media Contacts Zoe Frantz- 812-298-4533, [email protected] Tina Serrano- 317-882-5122, [email protected] Kelby Gaw-317-496-7193, [email protected] Adult & Child Health is an accredited nonprofit primary care, behavioral health, and social services provider with multiple locations in central Indiana. We strive for caring communities, where every child, adult and family have the opportunities they need to live healthy, happy, productive lives. For more information about Adult & Child Health programs, please contact Tina Serrano, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at 317-882-5122.
An Innovative Approach: Opening the State’s First “Tech-Enabled Behavioral Health Home”
Adult and Child has received a grant from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) to open a Tech-Enabled Behavioral Health Home, the first in the State of Indiana to integrate a web-based platform in their program design. People with mental illness die, on average, 25 years younger than the rest of the population, often due to unmanaged chronic disease. This pilot program addresses the poor mental and physical health outcomes among adults experiencing a serious mental illness and gives them a single “home” for their coordinated health care services. “We are excited to expand our services, and improve support for adults’ total health needs,” said Allen Brown, CEO at Adult and Child Center. “In addition to supporting our goals of improved health care for our clients, this model is of particular interest to many of our community partners because it allows for one stop health care shopping, social support engagements, supported employment, housing access, and on-going quality care. We believe this pilot will demonstrate both improved health outcomes and significant cost savings in treating people with serious mental illness.” About the Tech-Enabled Behavioral Health Home The Tech-Enabled Behavioral Health Home is aimed at improving all health outcomes, while decreasing the costs of care. Adults who struggle with co-occurring mental and chronic physical health conditions comprise 5% of the population, but are estimated to use 50% of the available health care funding, due to their inability to effectively manage their illnesses. Research demonstrates adults who experience a serious mental illness, when left to their own devices, do not effectively manage their health (mental or physical); often resulting in early mortalities and significantly increased costs of care (increased duration and frequency of inpatient stays and increased inappropriate health care expenses). The primary guiding principles of this program are based upon the idea that mental illness is treatable; and that the role of A&C staff is to guide and support consumers in their recovery. Core elements of the Behavioral Health Home Pilot include disease self-management supports, patient focused delivery system design, clinical decision support, clinical information systems, and encouraging community linkages. Tech-Enabled Behavioral Health Home services will be available to adults who reside in Marion and Johnson counties, and who experience serious mental health and co-occurring primary care disorders.
