Nearly $9 million in expanded mental health services has been approved by the Southwest Washington Behavioral Health (SWBH) Governing Board. The funding was made possible through the Affordable Care Act. SWBH administers and coordinates public mental services in Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania counties.
“The expanded services will not only help fill gaps throughout the region,” said Connie Mom-Chhing, chief executive officer, “but proposals received from service providers will also deliver evidence-based practices, diversion from jails and hospitals, integrated physical health, mental health and chemical dependency services and specialized care for children.”
The expansion includes contracts with five new providers and expanded contracts for services with three providers currently under contract with SWBH.
New providers are: A First Place (Cowlitz County); Community House on Broadway (Cowlitz County); Cowlitz County Health Department; Cowlitz County Human Services Department; and Strengthening Foundations (Cowlitz County).
