Outreach Community Health Centers and Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division Expand Behavioral Health Services on Milwaukee’s North and East Side
Milwaukee – Driven by a shared commitment to increase access to behavioral healthcare for people who are most vulnerable, Outreach Community Health Centers (OCHC) and the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division (BHD) are expanding behavioral healthcare services on Milwaukee’s North and East Side. These collaborative efforts will provide immediate access to behavioral healthcare, primary healthcare and other programs, including on-site pharmacy and dental care, peer support services and referral to appropriate outpatient clinics and other community programs.
“Through this agreement, we can offer much-needed coordinated behavioral healthcare service to our clients and to the communities we serve. We know behavioral health needs can be present with other health issues,” said Connie Palmer, President and CEO for Outreach Community Health Centers.
Members of the BHD team will be present at Access Clinic East, located within Outreach Community Health Centers’ clinic. This partnership plays a key role in the County’s larger redesign, focusing on expanded and enhanced access to community-based services.
“For years, the Department of Health and Human Services and Behavioral Health Division have been committed to redesigning our mental health delivery system by investing in community-based resources that are more accessible to those in need,” said David Muhammad, Deputy Director, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. “Opening Access Clinic East is another significant step toward increasing access to high quality prevention and early intervention services in partnership with our trusted community partners, and it supports our strategic goals of advancing racial equity and improving health outcomes for all Milwaukee County residents.”
The new clinic will allow BHD’s team to quickly connect people with the culturally competent care they need within their own community. Services include psychiatric assessment, medication evaluation, peer support services, counseling and/or referrals to appropriate outpatient clinics, and access to additional community programs.
“Access Clinic East creates a mutually beneficial partnership that allows our team to quickly connect people with the care they need, right in their own community,” said Ken Ginlack, BHD Director of Outpatient Treatment Programs. “Like our other Access Clinic locations, we will provide a range of non-emergency services and ensure Milwaukee County residents are receiving the care they deserve. At a time when behavioral health and substance use resources have never been more dire, we’re excited to be partnering with Outreach to open a clinic that serves residents on the north and east side of Milwaukee.”
The program was launched at Outreach Community Health Centers at 210 West Capitol Drive earlier this month. The behavioral health clinic is located on the second floor and open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with walk-in hours from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For more information and to learn more, please visit ochc-milw.org or register to join Outreach’s Virtual Open House. Details are below:
Virtual Open House
April 28, 2021
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Registration link: Bit.ly/21_openhouse
