Categorized | Health

Community Mental Health Centers expanding roles

MEDIA RELEASE

The state Department of Health (DOH) is expanding the role of Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) to better serve local consumers, families, and service providers in each county.

Beginning July 1, CMHCs in all counties will represent and plan for the broader behavioral health needs of their local communities; identifying service gaps and evaluating both public and private provided mental health services; and reporting findings and recommendations on an annual basis.

This function, currently handled by four Service Area Administrators (one in each county employed by the DOH), will now come under the CMHC medical directors located in Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Oahu. CMHC personnel in each county will work directly with the state’s Service Area Board to represent specific issues facing their communities.

“We believe that Community Mental Health Center staff understand the needs of consumers and the complexities of service availability in their regions,” said Michelle Hill, Deputy Director for Behavioral Health. “As clinicians and support staff, working daily with individuals and families, they see first-hand the issues faced by consumers, providers and the community at large.”

“This change comes as the DOH continues to review and evaluate behavioral health programs to improve their effectiveness and ensure system sustainability,” said Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino. “The Service Area Administrators served to facilitate community feedback and now it is time for our Community Mental Health Centers to step-up and centralize this role.”

Beginning July 1, consumers, families, service providers, community members and others may contact CMHC staff to provide their concerns or comments on broad community needs or service gaps for behavioral/mental healthcare.

Prior to July 1, the public may contact the Adult Mental Health Division Office of Consumer Affairs at (808) 586-4685 or the Office of Provider Relations at (808) 586-4689.

After July 1, the public may contact:
* East Hawaii CMHC: (808) 974-4305
* West Hawaii CMHC: (808) 322-4818
* Kauai CMHC: (808) 241-3130
* Maui/Molokai/Lanai CMHC: (808) 984-2150
* Central Oahu CMHC: (808) 453-5953
* Windward Oahu: (808) 233-3775
* Diamond Head: (808) 733-9260
* Kalihi-Palama: (808) 832-5800

It is estimated that more than 15,000 adults statewide receive some form of services from the DOH Adult Mental Health Division each year. CMHCs provide services in each of the counties for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness who have no other means of mental health care coverage.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

 

Quantcast