Mental Health Services Overview

MHCADSD Mission Statement | Overview | Background | Programs & Services

Overview

The King County Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division (MHCADSD) is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating a publicly funded, county-wide system of care for adults and children with mental illness residing in King County. Crisis and Commitment Services, a section of MHCADSD, is responsible for providing 24-hour crisis outreach services to persons experiencing psychiatric emergencies and also for processing referrals and conducting investigations under the Washington State Involuntary Treatment Act.

Background

Washington State's mental health reform began with Substitute Senate Bill 5400 enacted in 1989 which shifted responsibility and accountability for services from the state to county-based entities called Regional Support Networks (RSNs). King County RSN was established in 1990 and is managed by the King County MHCADS Division. Under SSB 5400 and our contract with the State of Washington, KCRSN is responsible for providing services and supports for chronically mentally ill adults and severely emotionally disturbed children.

The second phase of mental health reform was the implementation of the King County Mental Health Plan (MHP) for outpatient health services in April 1995. The PHP was created in response to a federal waiver granted to the state to establish regionalized administration of the Medicaid program. The King County Mental Health Plan replaces the former fee-for-service structure with a managed care system. It was designed to increase access to care, client satisfaction, administrative efficiency, and create greater accountability for outcomes and quality.

Programs and Services

King County offers a wide variety of mental health services to clients based on their individual needs. Mental health services are provided through a certified vendor pool of community mental health centers. The vendor network includes providers who specialize in certain areas of care. For referral information on specialized services or the PHP provider closest to you, call 1-800-790-8049.

Services to enrolled clients may include any of the following:

• 24-hour crisis response (external link)
• interpreter services
• brief interventions
• case management
• psychiatric and medical services
• in-home services
• employment/vocational services
• homeless outreach and engagement
• housing/residential services
• day treatment
• individual and group therapy
• family therapy
• psychiatric consultation to schools
• medication management
• cultural consultations and culturally appropriate care
• education and training opportunities
• consumer/advocate run services

NOTE: Services and programs may vary by Provider.