HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Behavioral Health Partners 06-03-08 BOARD r) SUPERVISORS
JUN 2 0 2008
June 3, 2008 OROVILLE,CALIFORNIA
Butte County Board of Supervisors
Oroville, California 95965
Dear Supervisors:
We are writing to you as organizational providers who partner with the Department of
Behavioral Health Services in the provision of mental health services to children and families
through Butte County.
We fully understand and appreciate the painful process being experienced by the County and its
staff. We know and respect our colleagues who are employed directly by the county. As not-
for-profit organizations we have frequently experienced first hand the impact of funding
reductions or the elimination of public and private funding.
All of us have provided mental health services under contract to Butte County for many years.
We operate using, at minimum, the same standards that the county imposes on itself. We have
all experienced chart audits without material findings or exceptions. In addition to periodic
county review of charts,each of us has an internal Quality Improvement Review program or
process. We have also discussed the possibility of implementing a multi-agency peer review
committee that will further ensure uniformly high quality amongst us. As in the past,ultimately
the county will be accountable for monitoring all activities.
In past years,previous Behavioral Health administrations have applied some managed care
principles that have, over time proved difficult to administer. Recently, there has been a very
healthy dialogue and significant movement between Behavioral Health administration and the
provider community to eliminate the difficult procedures without compromising the quality of
service and the needed over site. We look forward to a continued dialogue in this very positive
direction with a goal to enhance client care.
As mentioned above, all of us have been providing mental health services to Butte County
residents for many years. We have had the pleasure to work with many Mental Health Directors
and have seen new policies and procedures implemented, changed and modified. We wish to
indicate our support for the current administration, management, and clinical staff. Our dealings
with them to date have been one of partnership and collaboration. We remain committed to
work closely with all of the County staff in whatever way makes sense in support of our mutual
goals.
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A frequent public comment has been that we,private providers, are becoming wealthy providing
these services. As you know,the best we can hope for is to breakeven providing Medi-Cal
services.
We thank you for having the opportunity to serve Butte County residents. We not only took
forward to being part of the solution to the current crisis,but more importantly, to being integral
to the foundation for permanent change.
Respectfully,
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Bob Michels,Director George Silef,Executive Director
Northern Valley Catholic Social Service Youth for Change
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'frAdi Enjolhardt,MA Executive Director Anshanne Linenger,MX, LNIFT, dministrator
Butte Victor Community Support Services Counseling Solutions
Cc: C. Brian Haddix, Chief Administrative Officer
County of Butte
Edward Walker,LCSW,Interim Director
Butte County Department of Behavioral Health