Bringing Services to Those in Need

Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS) became the recipient of an Interact for Health Rural Changemaker grant to assist those we serve through our Clermont County locations. The $110,000 grant provided funding to purchase a Mobile Behavioral Health Unit, eliminating transportation as a barrier to care, which can affect people in rural communities. The mobile unit will bring the services to them, rather than expect them to try and find a way to get to our offices in Batavia, Amelia, and Milford.

According to Alicia Fine, GCBHS Chief Program Officer and Senior VP of Clermont County Services, “We have been working with partners and community members to better understand the barriers they face in seeking and engaging in our services. In part, we heard that getting to our physical buildings can be difficult due to a lack of transportation, but also that we may reach more families and individuals in our outlying Appalachian communities through being present and connecting in their community... We hope to build connections and serve people where they are most comfortable—in their community.”

The mobile unit that GCBHS ordered was recently delivered, and services are set to begin this summer. The goal is to have the unit deployed to outlying communities each day of the week (Monday-Friday), on a set schedule. The mobile unit will also be present at community-wide events, including the Clermont County Fair, National Night Out, Summer School programming, and various other community festivals.

GCBHS staff inside the new mobile unit

In addition to providing linkage to treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, “this mobile unit will be working on building relationships in our rural communities,” according to Heather Cokl, GCBHS Associate Vice President of Addiction Services. “The ultimate goal is to be an educational resource for community members, raise awareness of stigma around these illnesses, and create new access points for people to find services that would benefit them and their family structures.”