NNews March 2024

15 March 2024 IXP Corp. Joins NJAMHAA to Build New Partnerships and Expedite Access to Care B efore the 988 crisis response systemwas created, IXP Corporation, which staffs, manages and operates emergency 911 call centers for local governments, recognized that asmuch as 15%of calls to 911 involve behavioral health matters. Nearly two years ago, IXP and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton (CCT) launched a proactive effort to address this situation with a pilot behavioral health program. “With these calls in mind, IXP envisioned a separate communications center that behaved similarly to 911, but was dedicated specifically to handling behavioral health calls—a behavioral health hub that could receive calls transferred from911, accept referrals frommedical centers, other mental health service providers and process calls originating from public safety responders in the regular performance of their duties,” said Michael Underwood, Director, Integrated Marketing and Communications. “As several alternative approaches to handling behavioral health calls emerged, IXP was fortunate to work with CCT to bring our joint vision to reality. In early June 2022, in collaboration with CCT, we designed, built, equipped, and staffed an independent Behavioral Health Hub (BHH) for the unique purpose of handling behavioral health calls and connecting callers with community-based care within 12 to 24 hours.” “Before 988 was rolling out, we knew this would be valuable for CCT’s Early Intervention Support Services (EISS) program,” added Harry Marshall, Senior Managing Director, Managed Services. “IXP is an extension of our access center,” said Susan Loughery, MBA, former Associate Executive Director of CCT and former NJAMHAA Boardmember. “We evolved froma call-in center to an access hub, as the system changed dramatically in recent years with the need for immediate access, wraparound services, and social determinants of health (SDOH) services.” She added that all individuals, whether or not they are in crisis, are screened for SDOHneeds. “While many communities were exploring alternative solutions for mental health needs, we were fortunate to collaborate with CCT, who shared our vision, resulting in an accelerated implementation plan,” Marshall added. “We are very pleased, and so is CCT with the number of people we’ve been able to get into care,” said Larry Consalvos, President and COO. Within the first 20 months of their partnership, CCT and IXP connected nearly 800 individuals in Burlington andMercer Counties to Catholic Charities community-based behavioral health care. Marshall added that more than 1,000 individuals have called, and some were referred to providers in other counties where they live. “As consumers find immediate treatment through participation in their community outpatient programs, we expect calls to traditional outlets like 911 will decline, thus reducing direct police involvement and decreasing ambulance transports to hospital emergency departments,” Underwood stated. (continued on page 16)