Program Implementation

Tips to Implementation: The additional requirements in mental health of greater collaboration and communication with QPs and Work First staff, in addition to an overlay of authorization processes and other reform-generated administrative processes, often have been lacking. Mental health reform currently does not provide sufficient funding and administrative mechanisms to pay private agencies for the time needed to provide their services in that manner. However, critical to Wake County Human Services success in overcoming some of these challenges have been the co-location and integration of staff across welfare, mental health, and substance abuse to form one team mutually responsible for the same clients. Wake County has been purposeful in maintaining this program within the larger integrative efforts of the agency, with successful results.

Keys to Success:

• Integrated services with Work First case managers, QPs, and mental health providers co-located
• Staff part of one team with mutual responsibility for clients
• Policies implemented by Work First, such as mandatory screenings, appointments with QPs, follow-up sessions with QPs, and required follow-ups
• Commitment to reducing/limiting the number of steps between assessment and service to make it easier for clients