Advancing Access to Behavioral Health Care in Rural Jefferson and Dodge County

Creating a coordinated behavioral health system to increase access in rural Jefferson and Dodge County

Full Project Name:Advancing Access to Behavioral Health Care in Rural Jefferson and Dodge CountyPrimary Community Organization:Rock River Community ClinicPrimary Academic Partner:David Songco, PsyD, Family MedicineAward Amount:$249,999

Award Date

July2024

Project Duration:24 months

Project Summary:

Access to behavioral health services is crucial in rural Wisconsin counties like Jefferson and Dodge, where provider shortages and coordination issues contribute to poorer mental health outcomes, including depression and substance use.

The Rock River Health Care Network (HealthWorks) aims to improve health equity by increasing access to behavioral health services for low-income residents in these counties. By developing a coordinated, financially sustainable behavioral health delivery system, enhancing services at the Rock River Community Clinic, and initiating an internship program, HealthWorks will leverage existing resources to address these challenges.

This project will significantly improve mental health outcomes for Medicaid and low-income residents, ensuring a network of behavioral health services in the region.

Community partners: Jefferson County Human Services, Fort Healthcare, Watertown Regional Medical Center

Project Updates:

Continued strategic planning and partner education via frequent meetings of the HealthWorks behavioral health subcommittee
Developed and implemented a behavioral health dashboard report to monitor access and availability of services across project partners
Developed and refined the active community referral tree which is currently transitioning to a shared platform for partner access and necessary updates given project findings
Received placement of three students from UW-Whitewater at RRCC to focus on defining case management infrastructure and activating the general behavioral health processes within the Primary Care Behavioral Health model
Completed behavioral health data reviews at both RRCC and WMRC including payor mix, reimbursement, insurance contracts, and patient volume to better understand and collaborate on available services and referral processes