On the edge of opportunity: A review of the public behavioral health care system in rural Arizona

A 2008 National Rural Health Association Policy Paper stated that, “Leadership is critically needed to develop comprehensive policies that: 1) adequately account for rural realities regarding access to behavioral health care, 2) do not result in smaller, under-resourced versions of urban programs, and 3) do not perpetuate the tendency to seek single policy solutions to the panoply of issues that affect the provision of quality behavioral health for America's rural residents.” In response, the Arizona Rural Health Office began a review the status of rural behavioral health care in the state. The first phase – A Review of the Public Behavioral Health Care System in Rural Arizona – represents a case study of behavioral health care services currently available to rural residents who qualify for public funding. The study methodology combined interviews with key informants, a focus group with rural behavioral health providers, extensive review of online documents, data analysis, and report preparation including review by key informants and others. The resulting 45-page report documents ways that the rural Arizona public behavioral health care system is working well and where there are challenges and opportunities for improvement, including the following recommendation themes: - Rural Behavioral Health Care Enrollment Penetration Rates - Integration of Behavioral and Physical Health - Rural Behavioral Health Workforce Issues - Contract Transfer/Management Issues - Continuing State Budget Reductions - Prevention Coordination - Evaluation of Rural Prevention Programs - Lack of Behavioral Health Residential Treatment Facilities - Collaboration to Improve Rural Behavioral Health