Northeast Delta HSA Works with US Department of Defense IRT to Catalyze Continuity of Behavioral Healthcare in NE Louisiana

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'This healthcare model provides sustainable continuity of care in our communities,' said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, NE Delta HSA Executive Director.

Monroe, LA (PRWEB) August 22, 2014

NE Delta HSA has continued the coordination of behavioral health service initially conducted by the US Department of Defense (DOD) Innovative Readiness Training program (IRT), a national initiative that supports the needs of underserved communities with licensed medical professionals who are military reserve service members.

Delta Regional Authority and the DOD IRT have partnered since 2008 to provide medical, optical and dental care to rural communities. When they recently decided to add a behavioral health component to their efforts in Louisiana, they approached NE Delta HSA and its integrated behavioral & primary healthcare partner, Franklin Medical Center in Winnsboro for assistance.

“We are thrilled that we are now connected with DOD IRT and able to complement their important work by providing coordinated behavioral healthcare in rural northeastern Louisiana,” said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, NE Delta HSA Executive Director.

“As a continuation of DOD IRT efforts, NE Delta HSA and Franklin Medical have made contact with and are poised to provide treatment to tens of additional people in rural Louisiana communities who would not otherwise have access or a continuity of behavioral healthcare. Of this group of clients, NE Delta HSA is assessing and treating those who may need more intensive behavioral health care than can be offered in a primary healthcare setting.”

“Additionally, I was happy to offer DOD IRT representatives a platform to present their work at our recent Louisiana Integrated Behavioral Health & Primary Healthcare Summit, where they shared information about their work in Louisiana with guests and national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Summit participants alike.”

“This healthcare model is a tangible example of how sometimes limited state and federal government resources can be best used to meet specific needs in our local communities,” said Sizer. “This model provides a sustainable continuity of care in our communities, which is possible because of our integrated behavioral health and primary care relationships with rural providers.”

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