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Published in: Community Mental Health Journal 1/2013

01-02-2013 | Original Paper

The Alabama Coalition for a Healthier Black Belt: A Proof of Concept Project

Authors: Robert M. Savage, Jacqueline M. Dillon, Jacinda C. Hammel, Tonia C. Lewis, Natasha C. Johnson, Lafon M. Barlow, Molly M. Brooms, Patricia M. Moore, Henry E. Parker, Kanini Z. Rodney

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

The Alabama Coalition for a Healthier Black was a demonstration of concept project. This paper is a descriptive and qualitative overview of this 2.5 year project. Limited key project results are reported here. Located in the rural Black Belt region of Alabama this coalition had several key aims: to develop a collaboration between primary care and mental health care through co-location of services; use of video-conferencing capability to provide mental health services more efficiently; enhanced training in rural healthcare; and development of stigma reduction campaigns along with other coalition partner specific initiatives. Co-location and telepsychiatry implementation produced the major challenges and resulting adaptations to original aims. Despite many challenges these new service patterns were put into place and appear to be sustainable.
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Metadata
Title
The Alabama Coalition for a Healthier Black Belt: A Proof of Concept Project
Authors
Robert M. Savage
Jacqueline M. Dillon
Jacinda C. Hammel
Tonia C. Lewis
Natasha C. Johnson
Lafon M. Barlow
Molly M. Brooms
Patricia M. Moore
Henry E. Parker
Kanini Z. Rodney
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-012-9488-z

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