OBHC Receives Molina Sponsorship for Color Walk

OBHC Receives Molina Color Walk Sponsorship

OMAK—Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC) was honored to learn Molina Healthcare of Washington (“Molina”) has contributed $2,500 as a sponsor of the third annual Mental Health Month Color Walk, coming up on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 9:30-2:00 p.m. at the Omak Eastside Park Fitness Trail. 

“Molina is one of our valued partners in providing behavioral health services to the residents of Okanogan County,” said OBHC’s Chief Executive Officer David McClay.  “Their contribution to the Color Walk helps us keep the event free for anyone who wants to come and join in the fun.”

Presented by Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare in collaboration with FYRE (Foundation for Youth Resiliency and Engagement), the Mental Health Month Color Walk is designed to increase awareness of, and reduce stigma and misconceptions about, mental health and substance use disorders.  The event lets participants experience the positive impacts of exercise on mental well-being, and helps them become more familiar with the other factors that influence both mental and physical health.

These factors, also known as “social determinants of health,” include income, education, environment, access to health services, homelessness, nutrition, and other circumstances.

Participants in the event walk around the fitness trail while getting doused with brightly-colored, non-toxic powders.  Organizations providing services that help address the social determinants of health have booths/displays at the event, and provide games, activities, raffles and more for folks to enjoy before and after their walks.  The event includes music, a cakewalk, Best Costume and Best Umbrella contests with cash prizes, and more.

Visit www.okbhc.org/colorwalk to register or find information about sponsorship opportunities.

More information is also available by contacting cbranch@okbhc.org or by calling (509) 826-8580.

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About Molina Healthcare of Washington

Molina Healthcare of Washington has been providing government-funded health care for over 20 years. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Benefit Exchange programs throughout Washington. Additionally, Molina Healthcare of Washington operates a primary care clinic in Everett (MyHealth Everett) and a mobile health unit (MyHealth Mobile) in the Spokane area. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Molina Healthcare served approximately 5.3 million members as of December 31, 2022, located across 19 states.  For more information about Molina Healthcare of Washington, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.

CFNCW Awards OBHC $10k Grant for Telehealth

MEDIA RELEASE
(for immediate release)
September 7, 2022

CFNCW Awards OBHC $10k Grant for Telehealth

OMAK, WA --- Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC) has been awarded $10,000 by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington (CFNCW) to assist in developing two “Zoom Rooms” that provide enhanced telehealth experiences for OBHC behavioral health clients and providers. 

“Covid-19 advanced acceptance of telehealth as a viable means of providing behavioral health services,” explained OBHC’s Chief Clinical Officer Quinn Lontz.  “By developing rooms specifically designed to provide human-scale telehealth counseling experiences, we are not only improving the quality of those experiences, we are expanding availability to those unable to access in-person services, and helping meet the growing demand for behavioral health care.”

The rooms are specially equipped to overcome conditions that can limit telehealth efficacy.  In addition to comfortable furnishings and calm, soothing lighting that minimizes shadows, the rooms are outfitted with large high-definition monitors, high resolution cameras, and good quality audio to more closely mimic the conditions of in-person interactions.  Such enhancements, controlled by a simple table interface, make it easier for the therapist to detect important non-verbal cues such as body language, micro-expressions, words, hesitations, tone and emphasis that communicate important information. 

“We are very grateful to CFNCW and their donors for helping fund this project,” said OBHC’s Chief Executive Officer David McClay, “and especially appreciate their support for behavioral health care in our community.”

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About the Community Foundation of North Central Washington

The Community Foundation of North Central Washington (CFNCW) is a philanthropic organization whose mission is “To grow, protect, and connect charitable gifts in support of strong communities.”  The organization and its donors help raise awareness of and support for a wide variety of charitable causes in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan Counties.  Their various programs, fundraisers, and grants support scholarships, arts and culture, wildlife, and a variety of community programs and needs.  Learn more at www.cfncw.org.

About Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare

Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC) provides holistic behavioral health services that promote wellness and sustain recovery. A nonprofit organization, it is the largest and most comprehensive provider of behavioral health services in Okanogan County. Their professional, caring and compassionate staff members provide culturally relevant, 24/7 crisis response; mental and behavioral health counseling; substance/opioid use disorders prevention, treatment and recovery support; therapeutic court services; and information about/referral to developmental disability programs for community members.  They accept Medicaid, Medicare, insurance and private pay.  No one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.  Learn more at www.okbhc.org.  Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/okbhc or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/okanogan_behavioral_healthcare.

Support Mental Wellness with Back-to-School Shopping

OKANOGAN COUNTY, WA --- As you are doing your back-to-school shopping, we hope you shop local when you can.  But if your shopping takes you online, Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC) encourages you to shop through AmazonSmile.  The AmazonSmile program lets you select a nonprofit of your choice to receive a donation equal to 0.5% of your purchase.   That may not sound like much, but if every person over age 18 in Okanogan County spent $100 through AmazonSmile in the coming year and selected Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare for their donations, that would be more than $16,000 to help support mental wellness.

AmazonSmile is free to join, free to use, and doesn’t add any cost to your purchase.  You still get to choose from a great variety of products that are also available on regular Amazon at the same great prices.  Best of all, your donations don’t happen just during back-to-school shopping; they happen whenever you shop all year long!

To join, go to AmazonSmile at smile.amazon.com.  Sign in with your regular Amazon account or set one up if you don’t already have one.  Select Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare as the nonprofit you wish to receive contributions.  Then, start shopping for all the school supplies on your list as well as fall wardrobes for your entire family.  That’s all there is to it!

Your donations help OBHC, your local, community-based behavioral health care center, provide mental health crisis response, counseling and treatment; substance use addiction and recovery support; and information/referrals for developmental disabilities services.  

If you’d prefer, you can also donate directly to OBHC any amount, any time via PayPal on their secure website at www.okbhc.org/donate.  No matter how you choose to donate, you help make a difference in the lives of those who are working to improve their mental wellness.  On their behalf, OBHC thanks you.

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About Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare

Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC) provides holistic behavioral health services that promote wellness and sustain recovery. A nonprofit organization, it is the largest and most comprehensive provider of behavioral health services in Okanogan County. Their professional, caring and compassionate staff members provide culturally relevant, 24/7 crisis response; mental and behavioral health counseling; substance/opioid use disorders prevention, treatment and recovery support; therapeutic court services; and information about/referral to developmental disability programs for community members.  They accept Medicaid, Medicare, insurance and private pay.  No one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.

OBHC Announces Development of New Mobile Crisis Response Team

MEDIA RELEASE

(for immediate release)

July 21, 2022

OMAK, WA ---Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC) is pleased to announce that it has received confirmation of funding from Beacon Health Options (Beacon) for a new Mobile Crisis Response Team. Beacon serves North Central Washington Regional Services area as the Behavioral Health-Administrative Services Organization. It is one of the entities with which OBHC contracts to provide behavioral health services in Okanogan County.

“We have been working with Beacon for several months on this effort and have received confirmation of their sustainable support that will allow us to develop and operate a Mobile Crisis Response Team,” said OBHC CEO David McClay. “This new program will expand our capacity for responding to behavioral crisis needs out in the community.”

The new Mobile Crisis Response program will be developed in collaboration with Beacon and key stakeholders, including law enforcement, first responders, county commissioners, and local hospital emergency rooms. “In addition to meeting our legal and contractual requirements for the funding, we want to be sure the program works effectively with existing emergency response and behavioral health crisis systems to expand availability and fill gaps rather than duplicating efforts,” said McClay.

It’s important to note that this new mobile crisis response program will not initially operate 24/7; hours of operation will be determined with input from the key stakeholders.

The new program is expected to roll out in 60-90 days. “Although that could be delayed,” noted McClay, who explained the shortage in behavioral health care providers sometimes makes it difficult to hire qualified applicants.

OBHC is currently recruiting for positions on the team, which will include a Mobile Crisis Response Manager and four Mobile Crisis Responders. The individuals selected for these roles will receive specialized training before responding to crises in the community. Application information can be found on OBHC’s website at www.okbhc.org by selecting the “Employment” tab.

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About Beacon Health Options

Beacon Health Options is a leading behavioral health services company serving one out of six people across all fifty states. They work with employers, health plans, and government agencies to support mental health and emotional wellbeing, substance use disorder recovery, and employee health programs that improve the health and wellness of people every day. Beacon’s multi-modal, insights-driven approach allows them to integrate social, behavioral and physical health solutions to drive improved outcomes for everyone they serve. By collaborating with a network of providers in communities around the country they help individuals live their lives to the fullest potential. For more information, visit beaconhealthoptions.com.

About Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare

Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC) provides holistic behavioral health services that promote wellness and sustain recovery. A nonprofit organization, we are the largest and most comprehensive provider of behavioral health services in Okanogan County. Our professional, caring and compassionate staff members provide culturally relevant, 24/7 crisis response; mental and behavioral health counseling; substance/opioid use disorders prevention, treatment and recovery support; therapeutic court services; and information about/referral to developmental disability programs for community members of all ages, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender identity, disability, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, educational achievement or socio-economic status.

Behavioral Health Needs at Critical Levels: The Often-Overlooked Toll of Covid on the Demand for Behavioral Health

It’s not news to people in Okanogan County that the demand for behavioral healthcare services is rising.  What’s less commonly known is that the ability to serve that demand is decreasing.

According the Washington Council for Behavioral Health, the number of contacts for behavioral health crisis response statewide were three times higher in July of 2021 than they were in March of 2020.  The demand for ongoing behavioral health treatment increased by 34 percent between October of 2020 and July of 2021, while the vacancy rate for Masters-level service providers (counselors) is at 26 percent.

Locally, Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare (OBHC), the County’s largest behavioral health care provider, is feeling the impacts as well.  Over the 18-month period from January 2020 to July 2021, OBHC provided 26,919 Mental Health Outpatient services to 2,210 unique individuals. Its Substance Use Disorder program assisted 631 unique individuals with 10,552 services. That averages more than 2000 services per month. 

Covid-19 stressors are just part of the reason for the imbalance between the demand and the ability to serve.  Okanogan County has been a federally-recognized Behavioral Health Care Provider Shortage Area for years before Covid.  When the state requirement for vaccination of healthcare workers took effect, behavioral healthcare organizations in Washington lost up to 50 percent of their workforce; OBHC lost 30 percent.  As of October 2021, fifteen behavioral health care organizations in the state had closed.  And while OBHC was able to continue providing 24-7 crisis response, its ability to continue previous levels of ongoing care and actively enroll new clients was markedly diminished.

The reasons providers gave for leaving their positions echoed throughout the state.  Some left due to strongly held religious or personal beliefs regarding the vaccination requirement for health care organizations.  Parents of children whose schools closed often had no choice but to stay home because childcare was not available or affordable.  Some providers who were close to retirement age took that as their cue to make the transition.  Behavioral health care workers who were exposed had to isolate; some got sick, or stayed home to care for family members who were ill.  Many providers were recruited away from their positions by other behavioral healthcare organizations that were able to pay higher salaries and hefty sign-on bonuses.  Some were able to continue providing telehealth services by video or telephone, but those are not optimal solutions, especially in rural counties like ours, where internet and cell-phone access is unavailable or unreliable in many areas. The increased workload and less than ideal conditions took a further toll in a field that already has a high rate of burnout.

As of October 2021, the turnover rate among Washington State Council for Behavioral Health members is 29 percent, so replacing those providers is a major challenge.  It’s not uncommon to take five months to fill a single Masters-level position under ordinary conditions - OBHC has had an ongoing recruitment posted for years.  There aren’t a lot of “home-grown” providers here.  It’s particularly difficult to recruit employees from outside the area to a remote rural community where the amenities of larger communities are an hour and a half to three hours away, especially when they can earn a significantly higher income in those areas, and it’s easier to find housing.

Because community behavioral health providers like OBHC get 85 to 90 percent of their funding from Medicaid reimbursements, starting salaries for Masters-level providers are typically about $20,000 per year lower than other employers like the Department of Corrections, Western State Hospital, Eastern State Hospital, the Department of Children, Youth and Families, or providers on the west side of the state. 

One of the ways OBHC hopes to improve its ability to pay competitive salaries and recruit qualified providers is by joining in the statewide efforts by the members of the Washington State Council for Behavioral Health to improve the chronically low Medicaid reimbursement rates.  Currently the Governor is proposing a 4.5 percent increase that would go into effect in January of 2023.  But the need is actually about 7 percent, and it’s needed now, not 11 months from now.

Improving Medicaid reimbursement rates is just one of the many ways OBHC is working to improve its ability to hire qualified staff and meet the demand for services.  The organization also hopes to improve awareness of behavioral health care as an option when students first begin learning about the career choices they might want to make.

Over the past year or so, OBHC has also been making steady improvements to its operations, including updating technology to improve efficiency and provide cost savings, cross-training employees to help fill temporary gaps, and re-examining programs, policies and procedures to ensure they support achievement of the organization’s mission.  So, while the current situation is not yet in balance between demand and service provision, there is plenty to find encouraging in the question of how to meet the ongoing demand for high quality and effective behavioral health services now, and beyond Covid.