FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 26, 2017) — The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) has been awarded a federal grant to implement Kentucky Care Integration (KCI), a five-year, $10 million project to promote the integration of primary care and behavioral health in two regions of the commonwealth.
Kentucky was one of three states chosen by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to receive the Promoting Integration of Primary Behavioral Health Care (PIPBHC) grant.
The Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (BHDID) will implement KCI with two service region providers – Centerstone of Kentucky and Mountain Comprehensive Care Center. These community health centers will work to integrate services while developing collaborative relationships with federally qualified health centers, Family Health Centers, HomePlace Clinics, and a variety of other community stakeholders and partners.
“The project presents a unique opportunity to improve health outcomes for Kentuckians with behavioral health and chronic health issues,” said Dr. Allen Brenzel, M.D., medical director for BHDID. “Centerstone of Kentucky and Mountain Comprehensive Care Center are ideal partners because of their track record of collaborative community relationships and commitment to integrated treatment services.”
KCI will integrate primary care and behavioral health via collaborative clinical practices, improved care models, and a comprehensive service continuum. KCI will have four focus populations for individuals with physical health conditions at risk of developing chronic health conditions, including adults with substance use disorders.
“Mountain Comprehensive Care Center is very excited to be part of this innovative effort to integrate primary and behavioral healthcare and improve the health outcomes by co-locating these services,” said Promod Bishnoi, CEO of Mountain Comprehensive Care Center.
“Improving the health of our community members is a critical priority. We are particularly interested in developing a more effective approach to helping people struggling with drug addiction. In doing this work, Centerstone understands the important links between physical health, behavioral health and quality of life. This is a great opportunity to improve all three at the same time by addressing all three in the context of the same project,” added Tony Zipple, Centerstone of Kentucky Chief Executive Officer.
Implementation of KCI will begin next month with the formation of local implementation teams and advisory councils.
“Improving health outcomes while maximizing efficient use of resources and reducing costs is a hallmark of our approach to improving healthcare for Kentuckians,” said CHFS Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson. “While we have been at the forefront of a devastating substance abuse crisis, we have also been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions. KCI is another tool that will help us establish integrated treatment systems that address the unique health needs of individuals who require treatment from both primary care and behavioral health providers.”
Additional information is available at http://chfs.ky.gov/.
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