Improving access to integrated treatment for adults with mental illnesses and substance abuse addictions

Background: National trends indicate that more than half of adults with co-occurring disorders receive neither mental health nor substance abuse treatment, and only 12% receive both treatments. Thus, the greatest need for those with co-occurring disorders is to improve the integration and coordination of treatment services to treat the whole person. Program: The Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) has designed a funding program to support the implementation of integrated treatment services for adults with co-occurring disorders, using best practice models. Funding provides grantees to develop, improve and expand integrated treatment services; support the necessary collaborative partnerships that will guide the course of change, leverage resources to increase consistency in service delivery and sustain improvements; implement evidence-based best practices that maximize efficient, coordinated care and produce improved clinical outcomes; and provide the technical assistance and training to support the infrastructure changes needed to successfully implement and maintain integrated treatment. Grantees are also provided the tools and resources to be advocates for improving the service delivery system in Missouri. Progress to Date: In 2006, 11 organizations were awarded funding and a second RFA has been released with the expectation that a similar amount will be funded in 2007. Program evaluation will be conducted by an external contractor. Conclusion: The impact of this funding program has the potential to significantly improve the co-occurring care delivery system in Missouri, enabling mental health and substance abuse treatment providers to provide quality, evidence-based integrated treatment services to the adult population with co-occurring disorders.