Hi Rachel!
Access to mental health for adults with a dual diagnosis has been abysmal in Idaho. In addition to the access issue, we do not have a pool of well-trained (specific to I/DD) mental health clinicians
to provide quality support to adults with a dual diagnosis. The current managed care contractor believes the access issue is related to not have well trained clinicians. This was not a priority of the state or contractor
For the last year, the Council has been working with Julie Brown out of Massachusetts to provide (3) three-day trainings across the state. This training is targeted to mental health clinicians
who are interested in improving their skills to better serve adults with a dual diagnosis or to expand their practice in order to begin providing services. Her training has been so well received, that we have had a request to provide additional training which
we will do in Boise in the spring of next year. She is a clinician herself, very down to earth, humorous, and travels internationally to teach some very fundamental, yet simple skills to use for adults with dual diagnosis. We are also working collaboratively
with the Department of Health & Welfare to host a conference next summer for psychiatrists that specifically focuses on the mental health of adults with Autism who experience mental health issues at such a high prevalence rate.
We have also made an intentional effort to include adults with dual diagnosis in her trainings statewide so clinicians may begin to understand why it is imperative for people to begin to access
this much needed service. This interface between adults who experience mental health issues and the clinicians attending the training has been, not surprising, very effective. Here is clip of our current Council chair speaking to the clinicians who attended
our Pocatello training with Julie Brown this past summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUsyY0GYwvg
Julie Brown may be reached at:
xxxxxx@skillssystem.com
Her Website:
http://www.skillssystem.com/
My best to you Rachel. Great to hear from you. I am available to you if you have additional questions.
Christine
Christine Pisani, M. Spec. Ed.
Executive Director
Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities
Phone: 208-334-2178
Toll Free: 1-800-544-2433
Website:
icdd.idaho.gov
From: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com [mailto:xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com]
On Behalf Of Dyer, Rachel M
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 6:16 AM
To: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com
Subject: DD Councils Dual Diagnosis
Good Morning
I would like to hear about any current, effective projects/ strategies/ interventions that are increasing access to quality mental health services by people with developmental disabilities. They don’t have to be DDC projects: am looking
for your expertise about what’s working. I am particularly interested in strategies that are appropriate for all ages, that address crisis prevention/management and that do not utilize research focused medical schools or psych facilities focused on DD (because
we don’t have either of those here). I know, small ask. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Rachel Dyer, MBA
Associate Director
Maine Developmental Disabilities Council
-we believe communities are stronger when everyone is included
225 Western Ave, Ste 4
Augusta, ME 04330
207-287-4221 800-244-3990