Contact: Phyllis Jones (202) 631-3077
Community-Based Services combined for Greater Transparency and Easier Access
(Washington, DC) –The District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) announces a major realignment to better support integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment. The new organizational structure combines community services and supports in a new administration to make access easier. In addition, all clinical services will be directed by the Chief Clinical Officer to ensure consistent quality and guidance.
“These organizational changes make access to services easier and will lead to better outcomes,” said Tanya A. Royster, MD, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health. “The new structure also will increase operational efficiency and accountability throughout the system.”
DBH is organized into five administrations which are divided by divisions which may be further divided into branches. The Administrations are described below.
COMMUNITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
The Community Services Administration combines mental health services and substance use disorder services to enhance integrated treatment. This administration replaces the Alcohol Prevention and Recovery Administration and Behavioral Health Services and Supports.
CLINICAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
The Clinical Services Administration includes all clinical staff and the following functions:
• Access Helpline
• Assessment and Referral Center for substance use disorder services
• The emergency psychiatric program—Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), and the
• DBH operated adult and children outpatient clinics.
CONSUMER AND FAMILY AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION
Consumer and Family Affairs Administration within the Behavioral Health Authority amplifies consumer and client voice and promotes consumer and client leadership. It includes all consumer and family services, the peer certification training program, and recovery services.
SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
The Systems Transformation Administration brings together management and support functions in mental health and substance use disorder areas and reduces duplicative functions. It includes information systems and data analytics, policy development, Provider Network, and the Training Institute.
SAINT ELIZABETHS HOSPITAL
Saint Elizabeths Hospital, the District’s psychiatric facility, provides person-centered inpatient care.
The Department of Behavioral Health prevents, treats and supports recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. Call 1-888-7WE-HELP (1-888-793-4357) anytime.
Social Media:
#TreatmentWorks
@DBHforRecovery (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)
Website: www.dbh.dc.gov