Our Services

• Contract Management and Financial Services
• Service Quality and System Development - Adult
• Service Quality and System Development - Child/Family
• Evaluation and Services Research
• Cultural and Linguistic Competence
• Program and Project Management

Service Quality and System Development –
Adult Services

Providing Innovative Solutions in Human Services Delivery

The Service Quality and System Development – Adult Services team provides our customers with the unique combination of clinical expertise, applied program experience, and practical understanding of performance management and practice transformation strategies needed to help support the development and ongoing management of effective behavioral health services. Working closely with leadership within the Monroe County Office of Mental Health and customers across New York State and beyond, CCSI has supported efforts to assess and improve services to those in need.

In addition to our work within the behavioral health system, the SQSD team collaborates with members of the criminal justice system – at both the local and state level – to help improve how these systems interface to effectively meet the needs of individuals with mental illness.

Our Staff

As an integral part of CCSI’s work on behalf of the Monroe County Office of Mental Health, Dr. Don Kamin works closely with mental health service providers to assess, expand and improve adult services within the public mental health system. Dr. Kamin also serves as the Supervising Clinical Consultant/Forensic Liaison for the Monroe County Office of Mental Health, collaborating with law enforcement and others in the criminal justice system to address the needs of individuals with mental illness through system reform and training initiatives. Dr. Kamin provides consultation and training for the Rochester Police Department and other law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in Monroe County, including the Monroe County Mental Health Court. As a Master Instructor for the NYS Office of Mental Health, Dr. Kamin trains trainers to deliver police-mental health curricula. Other recent consultation work has involved training for the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, SUNY Police Officers, and working with the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice. A graduate of Vassar College, Don received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Ohio University. He completed pre-doctoral training at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine/University Hospitals of Cleveland and post-doctoral training in forensic psychology at the University of Rochester Medical Center

Don Kamin, Ph.D. Director

Examples of Our Work

• Transformation of the Monroe County SPOA

  Transformation of the Monroe County SPOA

  In addition to ongoing monitoring of the behavioral health system, CCSI often works closely with Monroe County Office of Mental Health personnel on special projects. For example, in 2008 we assisted the County in transforming the adult Single Point of Access (SPOA) for residential and care coordination services to be more consistent with the principles of care coordination and person-centered practices. We integrated two separate, parallel processes into one uniform method for matching individuals to the services they need while ensuring that those most in need get priority access. By coordinating one weekly meeting that processes referrals for both care coordination and residential services with providers and peer representatives present, we facilitate increased collaboration resulting in integrated, recovery-oriented plans.

  This transformation is directly related to the “Pay for Performance” initiative that Monroe County is offering care coordination and residential providers. An innovative demonstration program, Pay for Performance involves fiscal incentives for providers based on achievement of milestones in the areas of access, attainment of hallmarks of person-centered services, and the achievement of recovery/community integration outcomes.

• Formation of a Multi-Jurisdiction Crisis Intervention Task Force

  Formation of a Multi-Jurisdiction Crisis Intervention Task Force

  Consistent with the national trend, the Rochester Police Department (RPD) established a Crisis Intervention Team in 2003, with assistance from the County Office of Mental Health. Selected officers received specialized training on how to identify and interact with individuals exhibiting signs and symptoms of emotional disturbance. Although many other law enforcement agencies in the County sent officers to the RPD’s training (or similar training offered by the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services), they did not have any forum to address unmet training needs and challenging interactions with providers and citizens – issues that RPD addressed in their ongoing team training days.

  Thus, the Task Force was established. It is a bi-monthly meeting comprised of representatives from all 11 police agencies in Monroe County and the County Office of Mental Health. Its mission is to support and promote specialized responses within independent police agencies to individuals exhibiting signs of emotional disturbance. The Task Force provides a forum that addresses training, standardization of procedures, and the interface between law enforcement and the mental health provider community. Preliminary results include increased collaboration between police departments and with mental health providers.

• Assessment of Clinic Services in Ulster County, New York

  Assessment of Clinic Services in Ulster County, New York

  In 2008, CCSI was asked to assist the Ulster County Department of Mental Health in their work to determine if improvements were being achieved in key areas of clinical practice, including admissions, treatment appropriateness, and length of stay / service intensity. In addition to the review of current practice standards, a focused record review was conducted to determine the degree to which documentation met the criteria for medical necessity, reflected person-centered practices and incorporated phase of change. The results of the assessment helped the County to identify specific opportunities for continued education and training of clinical, supervisory, and administrative staff.

  In addition to conducting the training, CCSI has worked with Ulster County to augment the templates used for assessments, treatment plans and progress notes to include the cues needed to help guide clinicians toward meeting criteria in these areas, thus supporting the consistent use of these practices in the delivery of care.

  Similar to other clinic assessments CCSI has conducted, this was completed in tandem with a Medicaid "mock audit" that evaluated their compliance program. To complete this part of the work in Ulster County, we partnered with Mary Thornton & Associates. (We also have partnered with the Bonadio Group for similar work). Findings from both the clinical assessment and Medicaid review were integrated to ensure that clinical practice works in concert with the compliance program.

  CCSI has conducted similar work in Genesee and Rensselaer counties.

Related Reports and Publications

• Multi-Jurisdiction Crisis Intervention Task Force
• Using a County-Wide Database to Improve Performance