Kent Center, 3 other providers, in new behavioral health care network

Posted 5/1/14

A new statewide network to provide behavioral health care and related services has been created by the affiliation of four existing agencies. The network, Horizon Healthcare Partners (HHP), is a …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Kent Center, 3 other providers, in new behavioral health care network

Posted

A new statewide network to provide behavioral health care and related services has been created by the affiliation of four existing agencies. The network, Horizon Healthcare Partners (HHP), is a joint undertaking by NRI Community Services, The Kent Center, Riverwood Mental Health Services, and Newport County Community Mental Health Center.  

According to a release issued April 23, HHP will be the only community-based, statewide, comprehensive service network in Rhode Island, and as such will be uniquely positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities and provide the highest level of care.

“The member agencies have recognized that the changing nature of the health care system requires a closer degree of cooperation and integration than has previously been the case,” Judge Stephen P. Erickson, newly elected chair of the Board of Directors for the network, said in a statement. “HHP will be able to compete in every market and provide the broad range of services throughout the state that are sorely needed.”

“As we move forward with health care reform, there are several ways in which behavioral health services can be provided. We have considered each of the alternatives, and, as a group, our four agencies have decided that a closely integrated network of community-based and community-managed service providers is not only the most efficient answer, but the answer that is best for the state of Rhode Island,” Erickson said.

Each of the four agencies has taken the legal action necessary to create the network, including the selection of a Board of Directors with representatives from each of the agencies. Christian L. Stephens, outgoing president of NRI Community Services, Inc., will serve as the first CEO of HHP. Stephens has a 37-year mental health career in Rhode Island and has an established reputation for interagency collaboration and new services development.

Horizon Healthcare Partners was originally formed out of a belief that Rhode Island health plans, most state agencies, and many Rhode Island businesses needed access to a community-based mental health network of providers. Horizon Healthcare Partners’ agencies were chosen for their diverse experience in creating alternatives to hospital or institutional care. The experiences of the various agencies involved led to a yearlong process of evaluation to determine how a new network would be formed and what values it would carry forward.

Stephens closed by noting, “Virtually every day there is an interesting call that highlights an access problem. Ironically, potential customers and potential providers often have been unable to find the time and the method of packaging services differently. HHP gives our members a vehicle for designing and delivering solutions. I am honored and challenged to take up Horizon Healthcare Partners’ passionate belief in community mental health. Our thanks to the RI Foundation for their start-up assistance.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here