Central Health Expands Services with SIMS Foundation

The Central Health Board of Managers approved on Wednesday, Dec. 15 a $65,000 expansion to an existing contract with the SIMS Foundation for behavioral health services.

The SIMS Foundation provides “access to and financial support for mental health and addiction recovery services for Austin-area musicians and their families,” according to their mission statement. The expansion enhances the $200,000 previously approved by the Board for the 2010-2011 Central Health budget and will provide funding for expected growth in the number of clients in need of access to care.

According to data collected by the SIMS Foundation, 439 clients were served in the first three quarters of 2009, prior to the contract with Central Health, for a total of 3,909 encounters. After receiving funding from Central Health, the SIMS Foundation served 609 clients, with 6,653 encounters, during the first three quarters of 2010. The increase represents a 39 percent increase in the number of clients and a 70 percent increase in the number of encounters.

“We’re thrilled that we were able to serve so many more people in 2010, our first year of contracting with Central Health,” SIMS Foundation Executive Director Tricia Forbes said.  “We look forward to the expansion in 2011 and greatly appreciate the partnership we have Central Health that has allowed us to provide more and better services to our clients."

Central Health’s mission is to create access to healthcare for those who need it most. Through contracts for services with a variety of local healthcare providers, such as the one with SIMS, and expansion of the network of providers to provide care, Central Health continues to expand access to care for Central Texans.