With support from the Sam L. Cohen Foundation and The United Way of Southern Maine, Spurwink is responding to community need for increased access to behavioral health care in York County through Psychiatric and Opioid Use Disorder Treatment.
As behavioral health care providers, we know first-hand that the waiting lists for mental health and substance use disorder treatment are far too long. Currently, Spurwink has waitlists of over 450 clients in need of such services.
This program is supporting low-income northern York County children with serious emotional disturbance, and adolescents and adults with co-occurring substance use and/or serious mental health needs, and/or multiple systems involvement. This population, with higher acuity of need, has limited access to the psychiatric and opioid use treatment disorder treatment services needed to address their complex needs.
This program is based on the “Continuum of Care” model which Maine is currently adopting. The term commonly describes health care that follows patients over a period of time from preventive care to treatment for medical concerns, rehabilitation, and maintenance. Each type of service complements others throughout the continuum, making treatment more efficient and effective.
Sharing Spurwink’s vision of success, one of the Sam L. Cohen foundation’s goals is to assist in increasing the number of people who are self-sufficient and lead healthy, productive lives, including targeting access to healthcare, prevention services, and health support services. The foundation’s support is strengthening access and delivery of behavioral healthcare by expanding Spurwink’s team, use of evidence-based methods, and number of individuals referred for behavioral health treatment. The program will serve 250 individuals in its first year, with 75% of clients meeting treatment goals and decreasing use of emergency department services.
In partnership with the United Way of Southern Maine, the program is seeking to implement strategies of Thrive2027 including strengthening access and delivery of behavioral and physical healthcare and lessening harms and preventing future risk of suicide by providing supports for individuals, families, and friends. Increasing access to available quality care is the only way to stem the tide and reduce the alarming mental health crisis facing Southern Maine residents.
“We are proud to work alongside Spurwink to expand the continuum of care in York County,” said Liz Cotter Schlax, President and CEO, United Way of Southern Maine. “Together, we are opening pathways for everyone to access mental health supports.”
For example, a school-aged child with complex behavioral health needs may be referred to Spurwink clinical or care management services at one of our partnering public schools – with this new program in place, s/he/they would have access to a psychiatric assessment and psychiatric treatment if their needs warrant that level of care. Or, we may get a referral from our clinician embedded within the Biddeford police department for an adult who struggles with opioid use disorder and is unhoused – the expanded continuum of care at Spurwink, including psychiatric and opioid use disorder treatment, could help support that client with the level of care they need until they are stabilized. The new services will also help with staff retention, providing our current clinicians and care managers with additional levels of clinical, medical, and peer support on their care teams.
Spurwink thanks the Sam L. Cohen Foundation, the United Way of Southern Maine, and all our supporters for expanding the mental health continuum of care, ensuring people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, and their families, can lead engaged, connected, and meaningful lives in their communities.
If you’re interested in learning more about these programs or helping to support them, please reach out to Gabrielle Gallucci at 207-871-1200.
