Local Program Piques Statewide Interest

SAN BERNARDINO>> The “Let’s Get Healthy California” contest administered by the California Health and Human Services Agency and California Department of Public Health has selected the Department of Behavioral Health’s Recovery Based Engagement Support Team (RBEST) as a finalist in the "lowering the cost of care" category for its method of providing greater access to behavioral health care and providing cost savings to the county. RBEST was first developed in response to a 2012 report by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development indicating a 40 percent increase in psychiatric transfers to hospitals within San Bernardino County from 2010. Further review of local data indicated that caretakers of these individuals often relied on law enforcement and hospital emergency rooms as the only means of psychiatric care for their loved ones. This spurred the development of RBEST to reduce the inappropriate use of these providers by educating and engaging clients and families into proper outpatient behavioral health treatment and care. RBEST engages these individuals and families by providing sessions in their homes or any place that is most comfortable for those needing behavioral health related care. These sessions, facilitated by mental health specialists, peer and family advocates, or alcohol and drug counselors, provide participants with education, support and referrals to outpatient treatment. According to DBH's Research and Evaluation data, as of March 2016, RBEST has engaged with 364 individuals, who, when hospitalized prior to being engaged by RBEST, received an outpatient service within seven days of hospital discharge 38 percent of the time. After engagement with RBEST, 96 percent of these individuals received outpatient services within seven days of hospital discharge in their first 30 days after RBEST engagement. Hospital admissions after RBEST engagement were reduced by 43 percent, and those who were admitted experienced a shorter stay, with a 37 percent reduction in total hospital days. “Our department has always been proud of the outcomes of RBEST and are obviously excited when others recognize the valuable work of our programs as well,” said Veronica Kelley, DBH Director. “More than anything, we are glad that RBEST has effectively empowered so many families in caring for their loved ones, and, through referrals from partner agencies such Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Canyon Ridge Psychiatric Hospital and Loma Linda Behavioral Medicine Center, has assisted DBH in identifying individuals not previously engaged in our system of care so that we are able to inform them of and direct them into appropriate treatment.”