AKRON, OHIO – The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded a four-year, $4 million grant to Community Support Services (CSS) and Child Guidance & Family Solutions (CF&FS) for the “Better Living through Care Coordination” program, which seeks to expand and enhance access to high quality, integrated primary and behavioral healthcare through strengthening of existing collaborations and developing new partnerships.
This was one of only seven grants awarded to organizations in Ohio.
The funding will be used to focus on increasing care coordination across all systems to meet the complex needs of the individuals served while supporting the development of the infrastructure needed to meet all CCBHC (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic) certification criteria. Services will be provided in Summit County, Ohio for adults with serious mental illness (SMI), individuals with co-occurring disorders, children with serious emotional disturbance (SED), young adults with emerging SMI, chronically homeless adults with SMI, and individuals returning to the community following a period of incarceration. There will be an emphasis on reducing barriers to effective engagement of young adults and African Americans in integrated primary and behavioral health services.
In addition to CSS and CG&FS, other Designated Collaborating Organizations (DCOs) include CHC Addiction Services, Portage Path Behavioral Health/Psychiatric Emergency Services, and Akron Children’s Hospital.
“We have long been committed to providing comprehensive, quality physical and behavioral healthcare for our clients, and often that means we’re collaborating with many other organizations throughout Summit County," said Bob Stokes, CEO of Community Support Services. "We are very grateful to SAMHSA for their confidence in CSS to lead this collaboration and make a positive impact on the lives of so many of our community’s most vulnerable people.”
Karen Talbott, president and CEO of Child Guidance & Family Solutions, added that,“This initiative will benefit many individuals in our community who need care. And, it demonstrates the value of highly respected organizations working together in a collaborative and efficient manner to assure access to that care.”
Community Support Services, Inc. is a leader in behavioral healthcare for Summit County and the surrounding region. The agency provides comprehensive, high-quality, cost-effective treatment, rehabilitation, advocacy, and support for recovery, primarily to persons most in need, to enhance the quality of their lives. Founded in 1988, Community Support Services annually provides life-changing services for more than 3,000 individuals living with severe and persistent mental illnesses. The agency offers community-based case management, supported employment, supported housing, assertive community treatment, counseling, homeless outreach, wellness-promoting services and a primary care clinic, which is open to the public.
Child Guidance & Family Solutions is a nationally recognized mental and behavioral health agency serving children and families in Summit County. The agency uses evidence-based treatments and practices to provide the healing that children and families need and deserve. Founded in 1939, Child Guidance & Family Solutions offers outpatient and community based mental health counseling to thousands of clients annually. The agency offers psychiatric and intervention services, support groups, crisis intervention, services for refugees, and more.