Recognizing and honoring Philadelphia's Community Behavioral Health Organization on the occasion of their 10th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, In 1997, Philadelphia began its own Community Behavioral Health Organization in partnership with the Commonwealth’s HealthChoices program. The organization was structured to assist Philadelphians on Medicaid with their behavioral health needs; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is the only municipality in the United States to offer this type of care to its residents. By collaborating with the state to offer behavioral health support, Community Behavioral Health has tailored the treatment to meet the needs of Philadelphians; and

WHEREAS, Prior to Community Behavior Health, Philadelphia had a long history of offering behavioral health programs for those who were uninsured or underinsured. However, the city had little say in how health services were delivered to Medicaid recipients; and

WHEREAS, Community Behavioral Health has helped consumers of mental health and substance abuse services and their family members achieve a greater voice in the quality of the services they receive; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has realized substantial savings through improved management efficiencies that are being reinvested to expand services even further; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s system for the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective, managed behavioral health services to the public sector has become a national model; and

WHEREAS, Community Behavioral Health has increased access to treatment and has implemented better coordination of services across all jurisdictions and funding streams; and

WHEREAS, Since its introduction, Community Behavioral Health has been praised by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare for its, “extensive involvement from and interface with other components of the Philadelphia public behavioral system,” with emphasis on, “senior management demonstrat[ing] a solid understanding of the need to balance service to consumers with fiscal responsibility;” and

WHEREAS, Community Behavioral Health has reinvested in the development of services, outreach, case management positions, additional mental health beds and rental subsidies and year-round homeless services; and

WHEREAS, Estell B. Richman, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Public Welfare stated, “Our cities and its communities depend on us providing service to the most vulnerable members of society, and we cannot afford to let them down; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize Community Behavioral Health Organization on the occasion of their 10th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Community Behavioral Health as evidence of the sincere sentiments and recognition of this legislative body.

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