Adolescent Care Management - An Emerging Health Care Reform Priority

Under the Affordable Care Act, all health care providers including substance use disorder specialist are charged with improving program and client outcomes. One practice that holds promise of meeting this objective is called Care Management. Most of us know that it is imperative that we have strong post acute care services. We dedicate considerable resources during this phase of care but leave the client to develop their own program of recovery. As a result, outcomes are less than stellar. The Care Management program uses trained Care Coordinators who partner with youth, families and community providers to strengthen linkages that will lead to improved health outcomes. The core features of Care management are motivational interviewing, client driven service plans, care conferences and understanding a Recovery Oriented System of Care. The training will expose participants to the following: research related to the Care Coordination model; a framework for High Performing Care Coordinators; what are the Care Coordination Competencies; the role of a Care Coordinator; review of key practices; an understanding service domains and how a Washington County is implementing the program.