2017-480-E Finance - Freedom House Recovery Center, Inc. - Outside Agency Performance Agreement

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DocuSign Envelope ID:4D553CF7-2BBD-4F4E-B84E-E6B8B077A9AB EXHIBIT A PROVIDER'S OUTSIDE AGENCY APPLICATION According to County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Orange County citizens report 3.1 poor mental health days per month and 16% report they drink excessively, higher than the state average (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute). North Carolina has a goal to reduce the number of poor mental health days to 2.8 per month by 2020 (Healthy NC 2020). Although the state has a goal to reduce the rate of mental-health visits to emergency departments by 2020, reduced funding levels have led to fewer services for this vulnerable population and in turn to crowded emergency rooms. It is also estimated that there are 150,000 ER visits in NC yearly for acute psychiatric or substance abuse crises, 13% of which return within 30 days. These emergency department visits have gone up in NC, and from 2008-2010, mental illness ER visits increased by 17.7% on a national level. Across the country each year, severe mental illness results in a loss of $193.2 billion in earnings and 217 million days of productivity. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control reported that nearly 10% of all Emergency Department visits in North Carolina list mental illness as a diagnosis. The national average is 5%. The Affordable Care Act has improved access to mental health services for many; however, since Medicaid was not expanded in NC, a large proportion of people remain uninsured and without access to these services. Or, if they have some health insurance, the co-pay or deductible amount, coupled with their income, prevents them from seeking mental health care. Understanding of the challenges Orange County residents who suffer from mental illness and/or substance use disorder, the Orange County Board of Commissioners established this goal as their top priority in 2016: Ensure a community network of basic human services and infrastructure that maintains, protects and promotes the well-being of all county residents. This goal specifically notes mental health as an area of focus. e) Who is your target population of individuals to benefit from this program and how will they be identified and connected with the program? The population to be served is men and women, 18 years and older, who suffer from mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and who often have chronic medical conditions related to their mental illness, addiction or medication used to treat illness. Our programs will serve the low-income, uninsured, indigent and homeless populations in Orange County. Clients come to Freedom House most often by referral from hospitals, clinics, physicians, local social service agencies, law enforcement or the court system. Clients also come to Freedom House on their own accord, without referral. We gather necessary demographic data during the intake process. f Describe the credentials of the program manager and other key staff. (Ex. Identify Program Manager and credentials, describe training provided to volunteers, etc.) Our caring treatment team includes physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, nurses, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical addiction specialists, Licensed professional clinicians, certified substance abuse counselors and other qualified professionals. Freedom House Crisis Care DO NOT SUBMIT THIS PAGE 1/31/2017 11:11:58 AM Page 12 of