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<br /> <br />Priority: Substance Abuse & Mental Health <br /> <br />Substance abuse and mental health issues permeate local public health. From <br />exposure to environmental tobacco smoke causing an increase in cardiovascular <br />disease to the challenges associated with ensuring medication compliance in a <br />depressed patient with a communicable disease, mental health and substance abuse <br />have far-reaching health and economic impacts. Addressing these problems will take a <br />fully engaged and active presence by all organizations serving these clients. The Board <br />of Health will address this issue through two focus areas: <br /> 1) Serve as a catalyst and advocate for policies and practices that promote <br />integrated care in the Orange County Health Department and other medical <br />providers in the county. <br />2) Advocate for and pursue policies, practices, and partnerships that improve <br />substance abuse and mental health services in Orange County, especially to <br />vulnerable populations such as the homeless and those connected with the <br />criminal justice system. <br /> <br /> <br />Action Steps <br /> <br />Focus Area #1: Serve as a catalyst and advocate for policies and practices that <br />promote integrated care in the Orange County Health Department and other <br />medical providers in the county. <br /> <br />1) By March 2019, Health Department staff will investigate the feasibility, follow-up referral <br />options, and reimbursement barriers for primary care providers to provide and bill for <br />Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), telephone and face-to- <br />face consultation with behavioral health providers, and care provided by a behavioral <br />health and primary care provider on the same day in the same clinic. <br />Focus Area #2: Advocate for and pursue policies, practices, and partnerships that improve <br />substance abuse and mental health services in Orange County, especially to vulnerable <br />populations such as the homeless and those connected with the criminal justice system. <br />1) By June 2019, the SAMH Subcommittee will explore with Cardinal Innovations Healthcare <br />Solutions and other local mental health stakeholders the evidence-base, feasibility of, <br />and follow-up referral options for mental health screening and referral kiosks in target <br />community locations. <br />2) By June 2019, Health Department staff will partner with criminal justice and jail partners <br />to explore a pilot system to ensure continuity of behavioral health care during and after <br />incarceration. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />