| Division of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services |
 |
Diane Baugher
Associate Commissioner |
|
The integration of mental health and substance abuse treatment is at the forefront of a national trend toward a more holistic approach to wellness. For people with
co-occurring mental illnesses and substance use disorders, access to effective treatment can be the difference between a sustained recovery and a prolonged struggle. In a strategic move to more effectively meet those needs, ADMH has merged the Division of Mental Illness Services and the Division of Substance Abuse Services into one division. This merger affords the opportunity for the department to break down the service silos that tend to develop between divisions. In addition, the merger will more closely align ADMH’s departmental structure with federal priorities and funding streams designed to promote holistic sustained recovery.
A merger task force of stakeholders including providers and consumers has been established. It is charged with developing a comprehensive plan regarding issues that need to be addressed. The task force recommendations are expected to propose a systematic approach to merging the two divisions resulting in an enhanced continuum of community-based services that will be much more responsive to the needs of the individuals ADMH serves.
Substance Abuse services encompass the
development, coordination, and management of a
comprehensive system of treatment and prevention
services for alcoholism/drug addiction and abuse.
Responsibilities include contracting for services with
local providers, monitoring service contracts,
evaluating and certifying services programs according to
departmental standards for substance abuse programs, and
developing models for a continuum of treatment and
prevention services.
|