Behavioral Health Special Initiative (BHSI)
And Intensive Case Management

The mission of the Behavioral Health Special Initiative (BHSI) Program is to provide assessments, referrals and funding support for persons with substance abuse problems and who access licensed treatment programs. Under the umbrella title of BHSI, the Program manages several state and local funding allocations, the largest of which is the Behavioral Health Special Initiative. Programmatically BHSI operates under the auspices of the City’s Office of Addiction Services (OAS), a component of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health/MRS through a contract with PMHCC.

BHSI

BHSI is awarded funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through contracts with OAS and PMHCC for the purpose of supporting those individuals excluded from medical assistance as a result of the passage of State Act 35. The BHSI Program functions as a managed care organization authorizing each patient’s care according to clinical/medical necessity (based on the Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria) (PCPC) and referring them to a network of licensed drug and alcohol providers both within and outside of the City.

In addition to ongoing coordination with OAS, the BHSI program works with the other components the City’s Department of Behavioral Health/MRS, (Community Behavioral Health and the Office of Mental Health). This allows the Program to better meet the needs of clients whose funding eligibility fluctuates between medical assistance and non-medical assistance status as well as clients who have co-occurring disorders (mental illness and addictions).

Staff of this Program is comprised of dedicated individuals with significant clinical background and knowledge of substance abuse, mental health and health care issues as well as other staff with expertise in billing and computer skills.

Intensive Case Management

The Intensive Case Management Unit provides case management services to recipients of BHSI funding and women with children enrolled in Community Behavioral Health, all of whom have substance abuse disorders or may have a co-occurring disorder (mental illness and addiction). Case managers support clients and promote a drug-free and sober life-style by connecting them to a range of community resources, mentoring and advocacy. The Case Management Unit also conducts outreach and provides public education at health fairs and community organizations/forums.

OAS Intensive Case Management (Fee for Services)

The Office of Addiction Services Case Management Unit provides support services to Philadelphia residents who are Health Choices eligible; funded by Community Behavioral Health (CBH) seeking self sufficiency and recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders through providing ongoing support and ancillary services such as: engagement, evaluation of the client’s strengths and needs, service planning and goal setting, linking, monitoring, advocacy and coaching.

Other Activities

BHSI Program works closely with the Forensic Intensive Recovery Program and other criminal justice initiatives serving abusers within that system. BHSI staff provides clinical evaluations for forensic clients, identifies community based treatment sites and pays for the treatment of those individuals who were mandated by the court to attend treatment in lieu of incarceration.

PMHCC provides critical administrative support to the BHSI Program through its fiscal component, information and human resources management and a variety of other managerial elements.