DHHS, Region 6 Partnering for New Mental Health Resources Program

With a new partnership, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is aiming to improve access to inpatient mental health care sources in the Omaha area. The DHHS Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) is creating a pilot program with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare and OpenBeds, a technology company that uses behavioral health resource data to provide access to people.

“In this project, OpenBeds will help providers in Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties quickly connect patients to a network of inpatient mental health providers," DBH Director Sheri Dawson said.

Andrea Rayner, director of behavioral services at Methodist Fremont Health, said the hospital has a 20-bed unit serving adults who are in danger to themselves and others. Although the hospital serves five counties, Rayner said that just in the last few days it received a call from western Nebraska from someone in need of a bed. The new program will be of great use as it serves the area, she said.

Fremont Tribune: DHHS, Region 6 partnering for new mental health resources program