Alcona Citizens for Health, Inc.

Two new, additional behavioral health consultants were in fact hired using subsidies from the grant. They have served the four designated pilot project clinic sites during the three years of this program. Finally, a neuropsychologist was to be contracted with to treat the disproportionate geriatric population suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders; he began contracting with AHC and TBCHS in January, 2007.

It was estimated there were over 12,000 persons in the area served by the clinic/hospital consortium in need of mental health services. The two, state-funded community mental health service agencies operating in the same area cannot provide services to anyone unless they are severely and persistently mentally ill. The 12,000 adults and children in need are faced with multiple obstacles to service, including HPSA, MUA status; low income, education, and cultural barriers; isolation and rurality; stigmas; no facilities or resources; funding disparities; and age discrimination.

In FY2004, the two clinics in this project had just 1,561 behavioral health encounters (representing 470 patients). With the HRSA grant, a goal to provide an additional 5,019 new encounters during a three-year project was proposed; it was exceeded by 433%. Barriers were overcome through program design, excellent program promotion, and taking the program into the rural communities where people reside, versus making them travel long distances to reach needed services.

• All Goals except those involving telemedicine were met. Combined 21,713 new encounters were provided, and 8,157 patients were served.
• Alcona Health Centers provided 13,328 new encounters were provided (9,233 Adults and 4,095 Children age 19 and under), and 5,007 patients were served (3,469 Adults and 1,538 children).
• Thunder Bay Community Health Services provided 8,385 new encounters were provided (5,809 Adults and 2,576 Children age 19 and under), and 5,007 patients were served (2,182 Adults and 968 children).
• Alpena Regional Medical Center Psychiatrists were incorporated in the FQHCs on a part time basis for the period of 2005-2008, and a Neuropsychologist was contracted for a period of fifteen months. Two new therapists were added to the clinic staff.

Aspects of the program will be sustainable, specifically the masters-prepared counselors and PhD psychologist. The Neuropsychologists and Psychiatrists will be a challenge because of the cost associated and availability.