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Telecare Program Now Serving Clients as Part of Optum Health Pierce County Regional Service Network

The Telecare Pierce County Evaluation and Treatment Program is now serving clients as a member of the OptumHealth Pierce County Regional Service Network, which provides mental health crisis services for over 15,000 low-income Pierce County residents.

"We've worked closely with OptumHealth, local communities and the State of Washington over the past several months to plan services as part of this innovative public-private partnership," said Jim Presson, M.Ed., Telecare's on-site administrator. "While our clients' needs are often complex, we are delighted to be part of a program that is designed to respond quickly and comprehensively to individuals with serious mental illness during an acute crisis situation."

Clients admitted to Telecare's acute inpatient program might stay anywhere from 3 to 14 days. During that time the client's situation is stabilized; psychiatric, medical and social needs are carefully evaluated; and a plan for discharge into the most appropriate environment is developed. Telecare's Evaluation and Treatment Program is co-located with Recovery Innovations on the campus of Western State Hospital.

"A key component of our approach is partnering with consumers to better understand their circumstances so we can initiate the most effective services and provide the most appropriate referrals upon discharge," said Presson.

Through a contract with Washington State's Department of Social and Health Services, OptumHealth coordinates crisis services that are shared among four providers: ProtoCall Services, Inc. (hotline and 24-hour call center); MultiCare Good Samaritan Outreach Corporation (mobile crisis outreach services), Recovery Innovations, Inc. (subacute recovery center); and Telecare Corporation (acute inpatient evaluation and treatment).

Along with Jim Presson, Telecare's on-site management team includes Clinical Director Amy Matheson, Psy.D.; Director of Social Services Myra Paull, LICSW, CDP; and Director of Nursing Sara Roberts, RN.

Presson is a mental health professional with a Master's in educational psychology. He has been an administrator of mental health services for over 20 years and recently served as administrator of an NIH funded health sciences research institution at the University of Washington. Matheson previously worked as a staff psychologist for Pierce County. Paull is a forensic social worker with more than 30 years of experience. Roberts has extensive experience in mental health nursing management.

Telecare Corporation, based in Alameda, California, is one of the largest providers of mental health services in the country. Telecare works in partnership with local, county, state and other behavioral healthcare organizations to design and provide recovery-focused services for high-risk individuals. Telecare is an employee and family-owned company with over 2,100 employees and more than 60 programs in California, Texas, Oregon, Nebraska, North Carolina and Washington.