HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.13.21 Update on NVHRC and the County
From:Kennelly, Scott
To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Cook, Robin;Kimmelshue, Tod;
Lucero, Debra;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;Rodas, Amalia;Sweeney, Kathleen;
Teeter, Doug
Cc:York, Danette;Kim, Sang
Subject:Update on NVHRC and the County
Date:Tuesday, April 13, 2021 4:42:37 PM
Hello Board members,
I wanted to give you a heads up that the North Valley Harm Reduction Coalition (NVHRC) is going to
be in the news tomorrow. I was interviewed about our role if any with this project by the Chico ER
(Natalie). I was asked about their impending opening and whether BCBH was consulted about this
reopening or plans to collaborate on it. My response was that we were not consulted but rather
informed of the opening. We discussed the Coalition and what we learned about what they planned
to offer and I reiterated BH’s stance that there needs to be a really good communication and
collaboration with harm reduction service providers to ensure addicts get rapidly connected to
treatment when they have been engaged. In the past, the NVHRC would provide numbers and
appointment times for BCBH services to addicts to get into treatment and more often than not those
addicts would no show for their appointments. I emphasized the need for NVHRC staff to call ahead,
let us know they have someone ready to be seen, and to have the ability to drive that person to our
services to get connected immediately vs waiting 24-48 hours. This referral process has been
discussed in the past but not formalized yet however I indicated that we are open to further
dialogue when they are ready. As you may know, under current DMC (Drug MediCal) regulations, we
cannot provide for and to be reimbursed for field-based services (like those at NVHRC) and they can
only be provided on a DHCS certified site (like the one we have at 560 Cohasset).
I did inform Natalie that BCBH did meet with the NCHRC last Friday at their request and was
informed of their plans to reopen within the next month or two. We were not provided the address
and were told that they plan to operate as a Physician Operated Harm Reduction Program. Their
staff Dr. Celeste Ranking (who currently works for NVIH) will be the MD providing some limited
Naltrexone services and only people who have appointments with her will be provided needles.
I also told Natalie that we have applied for and been approved to provide field-based outreach
through the Hub and Spoke grant and are ramping up and advertising to hire staff as the contract
was recently approved by the BOS. This will not be in place prior to NVHRC opening and does not
mean BCBH can be onsite full time during opening hours however we may be able to respond to
their site if resources are available and the addict is indigent or has Butte County Medi-Cal.
Public Health also recently met with the NVHRC and received an update on their plans (I have
included Danette on this email for any questions about that meeting). I am giving you this
background as this topic has been quite controversial. If you have any questions please let me know.
Thanks,
Scott
Scott Kennelly L.C.S.W
Director Butte County Behavioral Health
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