CommuniCare is happy to announce that it was selected to receive a grant from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to implement a disordered gambling integration program at Bridges and BHcare. This funding will support staff time to champion efforts around the integration of screening and intake for problem gambling risk as well as raising awareness across the agency with staff and clients. The funding for these integration strategies will be cycled over three years. Bridges will be the first to implement integration efforts for the first year followed by BHcare Valley and Shoreline in years two and three. John O’Rourke, CommuniCare’s Program Director, will be assisting with implementation and monitoring of program performance. Implementation is expected to begin at Bridges in July 2016. For information about this initiative, please contact John O’Rourke at jorourke@communicare-ct.org

Following his participation in the Tobacco And Cancer Control Community of Practice through the National Council on Behavioral Health, John O’Rourke has been invited to present on Tobacco Policy changes as part of a panel entitled “Get the 4-1-1; Integrating Cancer and Tobacco Control and Prevention into CBHO’s at the National Conference on Behavioral Health in Las Vegas, NV from March 7 – 9, 2016. As part of this presentation, John will be outlining best practices in working toward developing Tobacco Policy to improve the health and wellness of behavioral health communities.

2015

CommuniCare was one of ten organizations in the country to be selected to participate in a Community of Practice focusing on Tobacco and Cancer Control hosted by the National Behavioral Health Network. CommuniCare will be consulting with national experts on the topic areas as well as engaging in other learning exercises as part of this initiative over the next eight to nine months. As part of this opportunity, we have presented a national webinar to offer insights on steps to adjust policies on tobacco in behavioral health. Listen to a recording of the presentation

CommuniCare is proud to be part of this initiative and looks forward to continuing as a lead and expert in tobacco cessation and organizational policy change in Connecticut.

Published December 21, 2009

Starting next year, clients of three behavioral health agencies in Southern Connecticut will have access to primary care at agency locations, thanks to a $2 million federal grant.

Communicare Inc., a regional behavioral health partnership, announced the award.

Communicare consists of Birmingham Group Health Services of Ansonia; Harbor Health Services of Branford; and Bridges, A Community Support System, of Milford.

The four-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant is one of just 13 awarded nationwide.

View Full Article

View video part I

View video part II