CommUNITY Adult Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI)
History
In 1995, CommUNITY Project, as it was known originally, was initiated in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright Counties through grants from the state of Minnesota as part of an effort to transition mental health services from state hospital based to community based services. As the state hospitals were phased out, CommUNITY Project provided input into the development of new core services: Four County Crisis Response Team, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), and Intensive Residential Treatment (IRT). The goal of CommUNITY Project and the service delivery system is to reduce hospitalizations and provide mental health services closer to consumer’s homes.
Philosophy
This project will make a shift from the present need-based system to an ability-based community system. The ability-based community system will value adults with serious mental health problems and see them as contributing to the community instead of seeing them as clients, patients or consumers. Adults with serious mental health problems will use their abilities to enrich their community, their family and their workplace, while being encouraged and their needs supported. The ability-based community system will allow persons with serious mental health problems to increase their independence and self-worth through increasing their ability to contribute to their family and community, increasing positive decision making, increasing membership in community organizations, building meaningful relationships with others who do not have mental health problems, increasing employment and educational opportunities, while decreasing the need for formal government support.
Who We Serve
CAMHI serves adults with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties. CAMHI provides support for persons experiencing mental health problems to enhance their contributions to the community.
Programs and Services
CAMHI supports a wide variety of services. There are specific eligibility criteria and funding limits for each of these services. Waiting lists may exist.
- Flexible Funds: Limited discretionary funds to meet the individual needs of consumers (medication, housing, vocational and general needs)
- Housing Vouchers: Rental assistance to help maintain community housing
- Supported Employment: Assistance in maintaining employment
- Other Core Adult Mental Health Services: ACT, IRTS, Mobile Crisis, and crisis beds
CommUNITY Adult Mental Health Initiative Committees
- Joint Powers Board
- Advisory Committee
Committee meeting dates are listed on the calendar.
Advisory Committee
CAMHI’s Advisory Committee consists of representatives from each county social service agency, a variety of providers from the four-county area, and community advocates. The Committee’s purpose is to design, plan and improve the mental health delivery system for adults with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. The committee makes recommendations to the respective county mental health authorities regarding needs. Open meetings are held monthly at various locations within the four counties. If interested in attending please contact CAMHI’s coordinator at camhi@co.benton.mn.us.
Sub-Committees and Workgroups
CommUNITY Project also consists of several sub-committees:
- Training/Educational: Provides learning opportunities for people. All of our trainings are intended for those living with mental health issues, providers, family members, and community members.
- Anti-stigma Committee: Raises awareness and reduces stigma associated with mental illness.
- Housing Committee: Monitors housing voucher programs and storage units and works on housing issues.
Adult Mental Health Resource Guides
The CommUNITY Adult Mental Health Initiative provides a FREE guide full of area resources and providers. A printable PDF of the most recent version can be found here: Adult_MH_Guide-_August_2022.pdf
The information contained in the Adult Mental Health Resource Guide is thought to be reliable but is not guaranteed to be accurate. It is compiled from provider descriptions of their own services as well as other public data sources and is subject to change without further notice.
Become Involved/Contact Us
Persons interested in participation or wanting more information should contact:
