YAKIMA CO., Wash. -- The need for behavioral health and substance use disorder services is high in Yakima County and people often struggle with getting appointments, but Comprehensive Healthcare is hoping a new state grant of $4 million, spread out over the next four years, will help them change that.
“Washington State itself has seen opioid overdose deaths increase by about 34% and Yakima has been one of the highest counties, actually, that has experienced fentanyl-related deaths,” Comprehensive Healthcare CEO Jodi Daly said. “So we're here to really make a difference on behalf of those clients and their families who are really challenged by this issue.”
Daly said while they do try to get patients same-day access to things like medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder, when their outpatient clinic reaches capacity, it’s not always possible.
However, with the organization set to receive $1 million per year for four years as part of a Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grant, Daly said they’ll finally be able to staff a long-awaited walk-in clinic.
“For those who have woken up and said, ‘I just can't take this anymore and I really need to see someone today in hopes of getting or starting an induction,” Daly said. “And hopefully we can provide that that same day.”
Daly said when it comes to seeking treatment, the time it takes for a person to access that treatment can determine whether they end up going through with it.
“What we know from previous certified community behavioral health services and data is that you lose people pretty quickly,” Daly said. “They don't come back if you can't serve them when they're in need, the day they want it, the day that they're ready to make a change in their life.”
Daly said the grant funding will also ensure that for patients concerned about working with their insurance companies or who don’t have insurance, that money isn’t a barrier to treatment.
“As we work in the walk-in clinic, as we offer inductions, people don't have to worry about payment,” Daly said. “That's a gift because all we want to do is move people towards recovery.”
The goal is to have the clinic open by the beginning of February. Daly said in addition to the walk-in clinic, the funding will also help pay for training for staff on how to best help people from different backgrounds.
“The other offshoot of this grant, really though, is the development of a mobile team, a physical health mobile team with peers that will also assist those who are impacted by homelessness,” Daly said.
Daly said they plan to partner with Camp Hope, where they already provide behavioral health and substance use disorder services, to now provide physical health services as well.
“Taking vitals, screening to ensure people have immunizations, maybe we'll be doing some wound care type issues,” Daly said. “But all in all, just making sure we get a good look at people and offer that holistic assessment so that we can move them towards recovery quicker.”
Separately from that grant, Comprehensive Healthcare is also working on a long-term project to set up a ground-breaking behavioral health center on the campus of Camp Hope that will be made out of repurposed shipping containers.
Daly said they’re currently working with the city for zoning for that project and hope they’ll be able to start purchasing the containers this summer.
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