Co-occurring State Integration Initiative (COSII)

In September 2005, Maine was awarded a 5 year grant of over 3 million dollars by SAMHSA to help the state expand and improve integrated treatment for people with mental health and substance abuse disorders. The Co-occurring State Integration Initiative (COSII) is coordinated by Claudia Bepko, hired in November 2005 through a contract with The Co-occurring Collaborative of Southern Maine. The DHHS project Co-Directors are Kim Johnson, Director of the Office of Substance Abuse and Claire Harrison, Region 1 Director of Integrated Services for DHHS. COSII will host regular meetings of a statewide Advisory Committee that addresses changes in key infrastructure issues to make it easier for agencies to provide integrated services. These areas include:

Screening and Assessment
Licensing
Reimbursement and Costs
Client program Data and Outcomes
Workforce Development and Best Practices

The project operates at several levels. The Advisory Committee and five subcommittees work on the infrastructure issues outlined above. They make recommendations for policy and practice changes to the Advisory Committee, who in in turn, advise the Co-Directors.

Several pilot agencies, 4 already identified for Years 1 and 2 of the grant, will implement practice changes recommended by the committees. Training, technical assistance and mentoring are available to pilot agencies, as well as to 50 or more other agencies who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State to integrate their services. A small pool of funds is available to defray the costs of agencies who are pursuing dual licenses, improving the skills of the workforce, or for other related activities. Pilot sites will sub-contract with DHHS to conduct systems change activities.

The grant provides for 3 years of infrastructure development and a final two years of evaluation activities. Hornby Zeller Associates has been hired to provide extensive evaluation studies on the outcomes of the grant and the work of the pilots and sub-committees. Catherine Chichester, the Executive Director of The Co-Occurring Collaborative of Southern Maine, will plan the training and technical assistance activities of the grant assisted by Training Coordinator, Susan Bosco.

For information about the grant or activities related to it, call or email CLAUDIA BEPKO (207) 287-7360

Office INFORMATION

Co-occurring State Integration Initiative (COSII)