Community Behavioral Health Services

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Document Type

Contribution to a Book

Publication Title

Cara and MacRae’s Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: An Evolving Practice, Fourth Edition

DOI

10.4324/9781003522805-4

First Page

33

Last Page

48

Abstract

Since its inception in the 1960s, the provision of community behavioral health services in the United States has vacillated between spurts of creative proposals and hopeful energy to profound discouragement with the lack of cohesive planning and support. The implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 (better known as Obamacare) brought to the forefront the mandate to health care systems to improve health care value, quality, and efficiency. The ACA spurred the development of new models of service delivery, some of which enhance existing services and some of which demonstrate a major rethinking of how services could be provided. This has led to a plethora of new terms for actualized and proposed models, which are highlighted in Figure 3-1. Unfortunately, the political climate in the United States has changed drastically since the passing of the ACA, resulting in considerable concern and confusion about the status of health care funding and the commitment, or lack thereof, to solidifying and expanding services in the community. Although it is not clear what the future may hold, it is imperative that we continue to protect the services currently being offered as well as advocate for improvements and expansion to meet the needs of all community members. Most importantly, all providers, including occupational therapists, must keep up to date on the ever-changing landscape of service delivery and be prepared to step up to create opportunities and address needs, particularly in the behavioral health arena.

Department

Occupational Therapy

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS