$3.4M contract approved for behavioral health centers

Six agencies receive funding for local services

A roughly $3.4 million contract for community behavioral health services across Montgomery County was unanimously approved by the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

The document covers a single-year agreement with several area facilities, however, there are “four optional annual review terms,” the contract states.

The contract stipulates that the following providers will receive funding:

• Central Behavioral Health of Norristown: $967,750/annually for the Norristown region, and $353,000/annually for the Abington region.

• Child and Family Focus, Inc. of Audubon.: $105,691/annually for the Abington region.

• Creative Health Services Inc. of Pottstown: $754,836/annually for the western region.

• Merakey Montgomery County of Erdenheim: $587,118/annually for the Lansdale region.

• The Penn Foundation Inc. of Sellersville: $198,810/annually for the Franconia region.

• Resources for Human Development Inc. of Philadelphia: $434, 790/annually for the Lower Merion region.

According to the County Office of Mental Health website, the department helps “adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disabilities and children with social, emotional, and behavioral disorders,”

and provides additional resources.

The private agencies that provide these services are also licensed by the state, according to the department’s website.

Montgomery County commissioners Chairwoman Valerie Arkoosh praised the agreement and the department’s overall efforts.

“The services Montgomery County provides to residents through these contracts are invaluable and provide them the help they need to lead fulfilling lives,” Arkoosh said in a statement. “These contracts are part of an integrated, person-centered, and evidencebased system of services and supports that our residents can access through

the Health and Human Services Department.”

For more information about the County Office of Mental Health, visit www.montcopa.org/1219/MentalBehavioral-Health.

The next Montgomery County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 5 in Suite 800 of One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown.