This page was exported from a2z news [ http://a2zn.com ]

Export date:Wed Jun 19 16:05:06 2013 / +0000 GMT

___________________________________________________


Title: Mental health merger meetings scheduled

---------------------------------------------------



        Public meetings are scheduled to help explain what people can expect from a merger of three mental and behavioral health entities.
Pathways LME, Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare and Mental Health Partners will soon form one organization that will provide services for eight counties.
To cut down confusion on how the process will work, informational meetings will be held throughout the month. The first kicked off in Gastonia Monday.
“We hope that the community will take the opportunity to learn about the merger and the upcoming changes in the public mental health system,” said Rhett Melton, director of Pathways.
Pathways Local Management Entity manages the public sector system for mental health, substance abuse and intellectual/developmental disabilities under a contract with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
In April 2011, the Division of Medical Assistance and Department of Health and Human Services requested applications for local management entities to expand and operate as a Medicaid 1915 (b)(c) waiver site. Population requirements prohibited Pathways from participating as a solo agency.
The boards of Pathways, Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare (serving Iredell, Surry and Yadkin counties) and Mental Health Partners (serving Burke and Catawba counties) agreed to merge and submit an application to operate as a Medicaid 1915 (b)(c) waiver site. Boards of Commissioners from all eight counties supported resolutions for the merger.
“The eight-county organization will be responsible for managing more than just state-funded services for mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance abuse,” said Melton. “As Partners Behavioral Health Management, we will add the management of Medicaid-funded services. This allows for stronger coordination of all publicly funded behavioral health services.”
The merger will take place on July 1.
The meetings will provide information about the merger and offer an opportunity to ask questions about services and supports, said Melton.
The following is a list of local and regional meetings still to come this month. All meetings will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
May 14: Lincoln County Department of Social Services, 1136 E. Main St., Lincolnton.
May 17: Surry County Government Center, Commissioners’ Mtg. Room, 188 Hamby Road, Dobson.
May 21: Cleveland County Memorial Library, Main Branch, 104 Howie Drive, Shelby
May 24: St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 921 Second Street, NE, Hickory.
For more information about Partners Behavioral Health Management or the upcoming meetings, visit www.PartnersBHM.org or call Stacy Bryant, communications officer, at 704-884-2558.
     

---------------------------------------------------


Images: 

---------------------------------------------------




---------------------------------------------------


Post date: 2012-05-13 16:28:06

Post date GMT: 2012-05-13 16:28:06

Post modified date: 2012-05-13 16:28:06

Post modified date GMT: 2012-05-13 16:28:06



____________________________________________________________________________________________


Export of Post and Page has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.ProfProjects.com