Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116899

Rose M. Urban, LCSW, JD, The CDM Group, Inc., 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 900, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301/654-6740, Ext. 3012, rose.urban@cdmgroup.com

Meeting the needs of persons with co-occurring disorders requires a systemic approach that addresses the entire infrastructure of the behavioral health system.

This paper discusses Systems Integration, the foundation of the Co-occurring Center for Excellence's (COCE's) approach to co-occurring disorders (COD) infrastructure development. This approach is based on the concept of the “whole person” -- the understanding that clients are not amalgams of unrelated needs, problems, and issues, but rather are integrated wholes. From this perspective, a fragmented approach that addresses one need, problem, or issue in isolation is weaker than an integrated approach that specifically recognizes and responds to the multiple, interacting causes and sequelae of complex health and mental health issues inherent in co-occurring mental and addictive disorders. Moreover, persons with COD are over-represented in marginalized populations such as the homeless, in high-cost health and human services, and in the criminal justice and corrections system. Accordingly, effective responses to COD must reach beyond the boundaries of substance abuse and mental health treatment and engage larger community systems in order to effectively reach and respond to persons in need.

The paper will describe the concept of Systems Integration and will discuss its various components including interagency cooperation, coordination, and communication at the local and State levels, blended funding streams, shared certification and licensure, and workforce development including pre-service and continuing education.

The paper will also discuss resources developed by COCE in order to support COD-related infrastructure development in States and localities.

Learning Objectives:

• See overall session abstract

Keywords: Evidence Based Practice, Federal Initiatives

Related Web page: www.coce.samhsa.gov

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SAMHSA/CSAT; The CDM Group, Inc. (CDM) CDM has a contract with SAMHSA/CSAT to operate SAMHSA's Co-Occurring Center for Excellence (COCE). The presenter is employed by CDM as a Vice President and is COCE's Executive Project Director..