Data and Reports on the Behavioral Health Initiative
As a part of the Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative (Behavioral Health Initiative) a team of researchers from Portland State University’s Institute on Aging is contracted by the Oregon Health Authority to evaluate progress in achieving the goals of the Initiative, with one component involving conducting an online survey of stakeholders.
Infographics & Factsheets
What is the Behavioral Health Initiative?
This factsheet describes the Behavioral Health Initiative and services provided by the Behavioral Health Specialists.
Recommendations from the Evaluation
Recommendations for policymakers and other decision-makers based on findings from the evaluation of the Initiative
Expanding Behavioral Health Services through Medicare
This factsheet is for behavioral health and aging professionals, and provides information about how behavioral health services can be delivered under Medicare.
The Interface Between Serious Mental Illness & Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
This factsheet describes the cognitive and behavioral trajectories of three types of SMI and aids clinicians and other behavioral health professionals in differentiating between symptoms associated with dementia and cognitive decline in these three SMIs.
Behavioral Health Initiative Infographic
The Initiative is making a difference! This infographic includes impact data about the initiative.
Behavioral Health Challenges for Older Adults and People with Disabilities Infographic
General Facts on the behavioral health challenges older adults and people with disabilities face in Oregon and the United States.
Examples of Additional Programs Implemented by Specialists from the Initiative Infographic
Examples of additional programs that specialists from the Oregon Behavioral Health Initiative have created.
Addressing Loneliness and Isolation Among Older Adults
This factsheet is for behavioral health and aging professionals and provides information about how they can best support older adults experiencing isolation and loneliness.
Final Reports
Final reports and interim reports include cumulative data findings from various evaluation instruments and recommendations.
Previous Final Reports
Stakeholder Survey
The stakeholder survey reports include data findings and recommendations based on responses to an annual evaluation survey distributed to stakeholders of the Initiative.
Data Summaries
Data summaries are brief reports that highlight notable data findings.
- Initiative Data Summary 2019 – 2021
- Quarterly Report Data Summary 2019
- Stakeholder Survey Data Summary 2019 (note: this is the same summary form that was presented in 2018)
- Training Evaluation Data Summary 2019
- Complex Case Consultation Data Summary 2019
Publications
Stodola et al., (2022) Supporting the Behavioral Health of Older Adults: Evaluating a Multi-Site, Multi-Actor, Multi-Agency Initiative. Journal of Applied Gerontology
Recommendations for Policy Makers
These recommendations are based on findings from the evaluation of the Behavioral Health Initiative.
Integrate behavioral health (OHA) and aging services (DHS) for older adults and people with disabilities with cross system care needs
- Acknowledge shared responsibilities for services by executing MOUs at the state and local levels
- Use “braided” or blended funding strategies so that each agency contributes to the needed array of services
- Prioritize building bridges between local agency leaders and their staff to reduce state agency siloes
Elevate older adults and people with disabilities as a priority population in state-sponsored behavioral health initiatives
- Allocate funding for appropriate services
- Support and invest in a knowledgeable and skilled workforce
- Promote program development to enhance access to services and specialized housing
Increase Medicare literacy and promote structural changes
- Allocate funding for technical assistance for providers
- Educate providers on behavioral health billing codes and alternative strategies
- Advocate for increased reimbursement rates and a larger group of qualified
professionals who can provide billable mental health services for this
population
Logic Model
The Logic Model for the Behavioral Health Initiative maps out the barriers/gaps, strategies and actions, systems outcomes, and consumer outcomes for the initiative.