Centre Volunteers in Medicine will be able to integrate behavioral health services with primary care for uninsured residents in Centre County, thanks to a $125,000 grant from Highmark Foundation.
Introduction of the Advancing Integrated Mental Health Solutions (AIMS) collaborative care model will bring behavioral health services to existing and new medical patients at CVIM, a free clinic providing primary health care, emergency and restorative dental care, medication assistance and case management services for individuals living or working in Centre County without health insurance.
“Collaborative care is a specific evidence-based type of integrated care developed at the University of Washington,’ Kristi Mattzela, CVIM clinical services director said in a news release. ‘This care has been shown to lead to better patient outcomes, better patient and provider satisfaction, improved patient functioning and cost reductions in healthcare. We are thrilled to offer our patients life-changing collaborative care enabled by the Highmark Foundation commitment.”
With the grant, CVIM will add part-time paid behavioral health professionals to its existing team of volunteer providers, Mattzela said.
“Comprehensive, integrated care leads to improved health outcomes, quality of care, and better collaboration between clinical specialties,” Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook said. “This type of collaborative care will help bring together primary care and behavioral health systems, creating a new and dynamic model of care that will improve access to much needed services for patients.”
CVIM began providing free services for uninsured Centre County residents in 2003. It now operates a clinic on Green Tech Drive in State College and provides free services to about 400 people a year who meet eligibility guidelines.
For more information on CVIM and its services, visit cvim.net or call (814) 231-4043.
