Grant to join forces for mental health board

EPHRATA - The Grant County Board of Commissioners voted June 9 to join Chelan and Douglas counties to establish a Behavioral Health Organization within the three counties by April 2016.

This alignment will help move the county toward integrated care with the medical community, taking into account those alliances that currently exist in the area, the commissioners said.

The State of Washington has mandated that behavioral health (Mental Health and Chemical Dependency) and Medical Care be fully integrated by the year 2020. This coordination with Chelan and Douglas Counties enables us all to move toward that integration.

The Grant County Board of Commissioners (Board) has been reviewing and discussing a path for Grant County to take on the integration of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Services over the past few months.

- Staff report