VHA/State of Texas Mental Health Collaborations Transformation Through Inter-Agency Collaborations

1
VHA/State of Texas Mental Health Collaborations
Transformation Through Inter-Agency
Collaborations

• Kathryn J. Kotrla, M.D.,
• Dave Wanser, Ph.D.,
• March 9, 2006

2
Secretarys Task Force on Mental Health March,
2004

• Availability of and Access to Mental Health and
  Substance Abuse Services for Veterans A Review
  and Recommendations Report to the Secretary
• Incarcerated veterans
• Homeless veterans
• SMI and/or SA
• Aging

3
Acting Under Secretary for Health November, 2004

• to insure coordination with state and local
  Mental Health, Substance Use and Aging
  organizations to maximize effectiveness of care
  and utilization of resources.
• State Liaison Positions

4
The Comprehensive VHA MH Strategic Plan December
8,2005

• Targets every VA relevant Presidents New Freedom
  Commission recommendation
• Assigns responsibility and measurement of
  implementation

5
Vision

• To provide optimal, appropriate care for
  individuals with mental illness and their
  families
• To prepare for the individual, familial, and
  societal impacts of OIF/OEF

6
Overlapping Agendas

• VA
• Communication with public mental health system
• Communication with criminal justice system
• Jail Diversion
• Incarcerated vets
• Concern with OIF/OEF

• DoD
• Concern with care transition for OIF/OEF
• Concern for reservists and National Guard
• Concern for OIF/OEF Spouses/Children

7
VA DSHS Projects

• Collaborations on PTSD treatment and prevention,
  suicide prevention, etc.
• Sharing a family based framework for addressing
  MH needs of returning veterans
• Incarcerated Veterans and Jail Diversion
• Optimizing use of telemedicine
• Collaboration on planning for Waco VA Center of
  Excellence
• Homeless Vets
• OIF/OEF
• Formal involvement of VA in State MH/SA Planning
  Process
• Shared applications for funding
• Formalizing agreements in MOU

8
Peer Support

• DBSA Peer Support Training
• 3 VAs (Dallas, Central Texas, San Antonio)
• 3 MHMRs (HOTMHMR, Tarrant County, San Antonio)
• 30 Participants
• All 24 consumer have taken certification exam
• Seeded peer support services in VA and MHMR
  across several communities

9
Local Collaboration Example NAMI Waco
Independence Center

• NAMI Waco, Private Hospital, VA, and MHMRA
  conceived
• Consumer operated drop-in center
• MHMRA provides site and budget VA provides staff
  back up and peer support expertise
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• 30-40 participants/day
• Recreation, games, support groups, gardening,
  computer lab, job club

10
Summary

• Focus on Recovery
• Collaboration between VA/State/DoD/Consumers/Famil
  ies
• Proactive intervention for OIF/OEF vets and their
  families