The summit was a joint effort sponsored by the Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Drug & Alcohol Program, Office of Medical Assistance Programs, PA Psychiatric Leadership Council, PA Psychiatric Society, Rehabilitation & Community Providers’ Association BH/PH Learning Community, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization & Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic.
Lupinetti included a summary of progress in incorporating behavioral health facilities in the exchange. Presenters were described as “an all-star cast of experienced professionals on the topic of collaborative care.”
Organizer Lloyd G. Wertz, MS, Vice-President, Policy and Program Development, Family Training and Advocacy Center, said afterwards, “The Summit was effective in achieving our goal of sharing valid, useful, and timely information in the area of collaborative care to an audience with a large range of levels of experience. I did not meet an attendee who had anything other than respect and praise for [all] participation in the event. Furthermore, there were several who expressed that they had received rea- life advice which they intended to take back and implement in their work settings.”
The group forwarded the implementation of collaborative care in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Community members who need that care will be better served through sharing of the programs and initiatives discussed at the summit.