Access, Coordination, and Enhancement

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Access, Coordination, and Enhancement (ACE) for Quality Behavioral Health Services would seek to change service delivery in the major San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) outpatient clinics. The San Bernardino County population growth has significantly risen over the past decade and service demand has exceeded outpatient clinic resources. Medi-Cal expansion through the Affordable Care Act requires public health agencies to address the challenges of service capacity. ACE services have been added to four major regional clinics and two rural, desert clinics specifically for assessments, hospital discharge, and care coordination. Addressing capacity issues can be done not only by adding staff but by also enhancing and redesigning the outpatient care system. Clinical assessments have been uniformed and standardized across clinics and referrals are made to match the level of care needed. The ACE program has enhanced care coordination, increased treatment services, and coordinated referrals to local health plans. Anticipated outcomes include an increase in Clinical Assessments and an increase in Therapy and Case Management services. The ACE program seeks to have 100% of clients discharged from an inpatient psychiatric facility to have an appointment within seven days of discharge and a medication evaluation within 14 days of discharge.