Merced County recovery services move toward integration

Efforts to consolidate health services in Merced County continue to move forward. The rollout of the Mental Health Department’s Community Access to Recovery Services is the latest example.

Community Access to Recovery Services, or CARS, as explained by mental health officials, is an expansion of behavioral care services for adults and children. It is a streamlined system that aims to better connect residents with local resources and services.

Trechann Barber-Jacinto, CARS coordinator, said that previously, the waiting time to be seen by a mental health professional at the county level could take months. The public had also stressed concerns about being directed to various locations within the county, or simply not knowing where to go, she said.

Now, a central intake office is located in Building 2 of the department’s 480 E. 13th Street location. The office, which takes walk-ins and calls, is meant to be the starting point for those who are unsure of where to turn for help.

“A person can come in here and they will hopefully be helped that same day,” Barber-Jacinto said Thursday.

The central intake office opened July 1. As of Wednesday, clinicians had assessed 88 people and made 16 referrals to behavioral specialists and resources.

People come in looking for a variety of services, the coordinator said. A big one is alcohol and drug services, she said.

Barber-Jacinto said it is not rare to see people who have been recently released from jail seek services that will help them get back on their feet. The department can also connect people to resources such as food-assistance services and patients’ rights advocates.

She expects traffic at the CARS intake to increase as more people learn about the “one-stop shop.” Information and clinician-assistance is also available in Spanish and Hmong.

The new intake system is just part of the bigger plan. Under CARS, the department will also have a mobile crisis unit that will go out into the community and to schools. Details for when that service will be launched is still to be determined.

Late last year, the department also announced approval of a new crisis residential program for early 2017. The goal, Barber-Jacinto said, is to have all those services integrated, and right next door to each other.

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 11:12 PM with the headline "Merced County recovery services move toward integration."