MONROE - A cooperative mental health program linking Lafayette and Green counties will allow for the human services departments in both counties to be fully reimbursed by Medicaid for services.
The Green County Board approved a resolution Wednesday that would create a Comprehensive Community Services program in Lafayette County through in-house staff training within the next month. The program, which began in Green County in 2009, consists of long-term rehabilitative care for those with mental illness or substance-abuse issues.
Green County Human Services Director Greg Holcomb said that since his department is already certified to help patients with mental illness, staff training by Green County mental health professionals will effectively extend certification to Lafayette County Human Services for the CCS program.
Holcomb said the CCS program is designed to assist those with lifespan diagnosed mental health disorders and/or substance abuse problems. The program helps to rehabilitate patients on a long-term basis and offer opportunities for jobs, housing, transportation, education and social resources. Staff work to achieve this by offering flexible and non-traditional treatment to their patients. Mental health professionals help their patients by offering peer support and natural interventions.
Gov. Scott Walker made funds available on July 1 to counties that cooperate in the mental health field as a part of his budget. The budget provides $6 million to CCS programs across the state. These funds will be ongoing and will continue to support CCS statewide.
Holcomb described the funds as a "carrot at the end of a stick" deal that gives back full Medicaid reimbursement rather than the 60 percent they had been receiving. While working with Lafayette County, Holcomb said the remaining 40 percent would make up about $82,000 coming back into Green County Human Services. Lafayette would also receive full Medicaid reimbursement.
"If it doesn't work, then no harm no foul - we just pull out and go back to 60/40," he said.
Holcomb said he has been in contact with the staff at the human services department in Lafayette County, and they expect to have about 10 to 12 patients enrolled in a CCS program once things get started next month.
"They're helping us as much as we are helping them," he said.
Holcomb said the Green County CCS program began with just one part-time employee who serviced two clients and has grown to three full-time staff members who service 37 clients.
The Green County Board approved a resolution Wednesday that would create a Comprehensive Community Services program in Lafayette County through in-house staff training within the next month. The program, which began in Green County in 2009, consists of long-term rehabilitative care for those with mental illness or substance-abuse issues.
Green County Human Services Director Greg Holcomb said that since his department is already certified to help patients with mental illness, staff training by Green County mental health professionals will effectively extend certification to Lafayette County Human Services for the CCS program.
Holcomb said the CCS program is designed to assist those with lifespan diagnosed mental health disorders and/or substance abuse problems. The program helps to rehabilitate patients on a long-term basis and offer opportunities for jobs, housing, transportation, education and social resources. Staff work to achieve this by offering flexible and non-traditional treatment to their patients. Mental health professionals help their patients by offering peer support and natural interventions.
Gov. Scott Walker made funds available on July 1 to counties that cooperate in the mental health field as a part of his budget. The budget provides $6 million to CCS programs across the state. These funds will be ongoing and will continue to support CCS statewide.
Holcomb described the funds as a "carrot at the end of a stick" deal that gives back full Medicaid reimbursement rather than the 60 percent they had been receiving. While working with Lafayette County, Holcomb said the remaining 40 percent would make up about $82,000 coming back into Green County Human Services. Lafayette would also receive full Medicaid reimbursement.
"If it doesn't work, then no harm no foul - we just pull out and go back to 60/40," he said.
Holcomb said he has been in contact with the staff at the human services department in Lafayette County, and they expect to have about 10 to 12 patients enrolled in a CCS program once things get started next month.
"They're helping us as much as we are helping them," he said.
Holcomb said the Green County CCS program began with just one part-time employee who serviced two clients and has grown to three full-time staff members who service 37 clients.