Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

ARF- 2612

Regular Agenda Item 4. E.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	06/24/2014
Submitted For:	John Marcanti
Submitted By:	Marilyn Brewer, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors-District 3
Department:	Board of Supervisors-District 3

Information

Request/Subject

Resolution No. 14-06-06 to Declare Support for Gila County to Remain in the Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Southern Region) Service Area.

Background Information

Created in 1986, the Arizona Department of Health Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services (ADHS/DBHS) serves as the single state authority to provide coordination, planning, administration, regulation and monitoring of all facets of the state public behavioral health system. The Division contracts with community-based organizations, known as Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs), to administer behavioral health services. RBHAs operate much like a health maintenance organization.

Each RBHA contracts with a network of service providers similar to health plans to deliver a range of behavioral health care services, treatment programs for adults with substance abuse disorders, adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances as well as members enrolled in Medicaid, KidsCare, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and Medicare Advantage programs.

Arizona is divided into geographical service areas served by the RBHAs; namely, Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care which serves Maricopa County; Community Partnership of Southern Arizona which serves Pima County; Northern Arizona Behavioral Health Authority which serves Mohave, Coconino, Apache, Navajo and Yavapai Counties; and Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (aka Southern Region) which serves La Paz, Yuma, Greenlee, Graham, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Gila and Pinal Counties. The Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Southern Region) service area also provides services to persons living on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

Gila County has been located in the Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Southern Region) service area. ADHS/DBHS is proposing to move Gila County into the Northern Arizona Behavioral Health Authority service area. ADHS/DBHS is also proposing to move the entire San Carlos Apache Reservation to the Northern Arizona Behavioral Health Authority service area, including the part that is located in Graham County. The people of Bylas will no longer be able to go into Safford for services, but rather will have to go to Show Low or Flagstaff. The people on the San Carlos Apache Reservation located on the Gila County side and all other residents of Gila County will no longer be able to receive services in Globe or in Phoenix, but will also have to go north if these services are no longer offered in Globe. All of these agencies--Horizon Human Services, Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services and Community Bridges--which have been funded by Cenpatico of Arizona in the past would then be funded by a different agency. People from Kearny and Superior (both in Pinal County) who also come to Globe at times for services would have to go elsewhere.

Evaluation

In order to provide quality services for the residents of Gila County and the San Carlos Apache Reservation, it is believed it would be in the best interest of Gila County to keep Gila County in the Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Southern Region) service area.

Conclusion

It would be the most beneficial for the residents of Gila County if Gila County remains in the Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Southern Region) service area.

Recommendation

It is being recommended that it would be in the best interest of the residents of Gila County for Gila County to remain in the Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Southern Region) service area. Graham County has also adopted a similar resolution.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to adopt Resolution No. 14-06-06 whereby the Gila County Board of Supervisors hereby declares its continued support for Gila County to remain in the Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Southern Region) geographical service area for the upcoming HF332025 - Greater Arizona Behavioral Health Services Request for Proposal.
(John Marcanti)

Attachments
Resolution No. 14-06-06