As health care has evolved through health care reform initiatives, the integration of traditional primary care and mental health and substance abuse services has become more widely recognized as a new model of providing high quality and cost effective treatment, resulting in improved health outcomes and enhanced patient experience.

In a fully integrated health system, mental health and primary care professionals share worksites, information systems and patient care plans. A care team works collaboratively with the consumer to ensure a seamless continuum of care, coordinating enabling services, specialty care and follow up appointments to support the primary medical and behavioral health needs of the individual.

The Sunflower Foundation supports primary care and behavioral health safety net systems that endeavor to move toward integrated service delivery models. Current examples of the Sunflower Foundation’s work in this area are:

• Education and technical assistance for providers and clinicians interested in developing an integrated system.
• Support to help providers assess their capacity and readiness for integrated care.
• Integrated Care grants (currently targeted to primary care and behavioral care safety-net providers) to help support the transition to integrated care.
• Learning collaboratives that foster shared learning and information.