Trueblood Diversion Services Gain Traction in Southwest Washington

As 2020 came to a close, SWACH Manager of Collaboration and Learning Jim Jensen had the opportunity to present the Trueblood program to the Southwest Washington Regional Healthcare Advisory Committee.

The reception was positive, and he was able to emphasize the continued effort and commitment to ensure that Trueblood Diversion Services are implemented in rural areas of our region. He also emphasized the importance of addressing substance use disorder at the same time mental health issues are addressed.

Other work in progress to meet SWACH’s regional coordination goals include the development of the Trueblood Collaboration Task Force and the Trueblood Forensic Service Providers meeting. Both groups are focused on collaboration and collective impact. SWACH is also working to assist Beacon Health and other community partners to ensure the effectiveness of mobile crisis enhancement. 

Each of these programs across the region provide support services for competency assessment and restoration. We are pleased to see that the programs are up and running and being integrated into the community, and as a result, reaching increasing levels of success. Competency restoration is the process of stabilizing behavioral health and social needs while also educating participants to understand the court proceedings and their charges. 

Like all programs SWACH supports, providing participants the navigational assistance to access needed services across Southwest Washington is a high priority for Trueblood.

Upcoming Events for Trueblood

In the first half of 2021, Jensen will lead “Trauma-informed Communication and Motivational Interviewing” Training. The audience for this new training will be a cross-sector group that includes law enforcement, social services, case management, and community partners. Cross-sector efficacy is essential to the preparation of workers who handle interactions with people who may be experiencing severe mental health or behavioral health crises. 

“It’s part of an overall strategy that’s commonly discussed for mental health – no wrong door to access support services. One of the doors to access care is the court system,” says Jensen. The programs necessitate collaboration with HCA and DSHS and many local partners – people who have relationships and knowledge to help people across our community.  As soon as dates are finalized, the training will be posted on the calendar at www.southwestach.org

Watch for a date to be announced for this valuable trauma-informed/motivational interviewing training opportunity.