Co-Occurring Resource Group

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

This unique partnership of human service professionals in Cincinnati, Ohio is successfully filling in gaps in a challenging area of service delivery for individuals interacting with various agencies. The individuals have a disability diagnosis and behavioral health challenges, referred to as “co-occurring.” Throughout this past year, the Co-Occurring Resource Group attached to Hamilton County DD Services has developed a cross-disciplinary team of highly skilled and trained professionals from multiple agencies. The team’s purpose is to strengthen the interest, willingness and ability of local health and mental health care staff to effectively and efficiently support people with a co-occurring diagnosis. Complementing purposes include impacting the future work force, especially psychiatrists and physicians, and strengthening the skills and confidence of educators and direct support staff. A cross-agency steering group of experts research best practices, share resources, knowledge and skills, in addition to providing oversight. Through this program, participants receive psychiatric support for evaluations, medication reviews, resource referral and planning. This implements the best type of practice models, engaging the expertise of others around the nation and state.