Building Strong Systems of Care

The effectiveness of services is of no value if limited capacity leaves people unserved and inadequate services leaves them underserved. Service-on-demand that meets the unique needs of the individual is an on-going challenge, but a worthwhile goal. To that end, Missouri’s Transformation Initiative is focused on analyzing capacity in general and other special populations in particular. Assuring that accurate information on how and where to get help is available to persons who need services and their families is an important key to access. Equally as important is making the same information available to law enforcement personnel, who might encounter people in crisis.

Recognizing the fact that service provision is always local, partnerships between state agencies and the service-provider community are critical in attaining the goal of easy access. These partnerships also are important to ensure that new information on research and initiatives conducted at the state and national levels are filtered down to promote local best practices.

With these goals in mind, the Transformation Working Group prioritized actions -- based on the topics listed below -- to begin addressing these needs.

The status of these projects, as well as all projects of Missouri's Transformation Initiative, may be found in the latest update of Missouri's Comprehensive Plan for Mental Health.

  • Improving Local Access and Coordinating Care through State and Local Partnerships
    • Regional Behavioral Health Care Initiatives
      • Eastern Region Health Care Initiative
      • Western Region Health Care initiative
    • Expansion of Police Crisis Intervention Teams
    • Common State Identifier
    • Telehealth
    • Mental Health Coordinator Legislation
    • Prisoner Reentry
    • Children’s System of Care
    • Employment
    • Housing
    • Cultural Disparities
      • Deaf Services
      • Language Translation
  • Advancing Best Practices
    • Continuing Education of Direct-Care Staff
    • Promotion of E-Learning and Core Safety Standards
    • Evidence-Based Practices Implementation Workgroup