Integrated health care is the coordination of physical and behavioral health care. In 2012, Harris County Protective Services (HCPS) received funding from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health to plan and implement an integrated health care program for children ages birth through 17 in state care. Stakeholders in protective services reported that the existing system of care was a “broken” system.
The HCPS program provided care to 194 unique clients between June 2014 and September 2015. Clients had a mental health diagnosis, and 55 percent had been specifically diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder. Furthermore, 89 percent of children in the program were taking psychotropic medications, compared to just 37 percent of Harris County children in general. A sample of children in the program were administered the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS-2) survey to evaluate services outcomes at intake and then again after three months in the program. Children surveyed demonstrated a 20 percent decrease in risk for behavioral disorders. Stakeholders surveyed after the integrated health care program was implemented reported a high degree of satisfaction with the program.
To highlight the significance of this report’s findings, we have created an infographic (see below) to share key points and successes of the HCPS integrated health care program. You can also read the full evaluation report.
