Behavioral Health - Region I
Region I Mental Health Services
The Department of Mental Health exists to enhance
the lives of people living with mental illness. DMH believes
and operates under the philosophy that every individual deserves
to live in a community-based system of care. Case managers encourage
and support clients in the life goals they have identified for
themselves, as well as develop the individual’s strengths,
therefore, enabling the goals to be attainable. The Intensive
Case Management team, of the Department of Mental Health, not
only focuses on the psychiatric state of the individual, but
also on improving the daily life and all aspects there of. Assistance
is provided with vocational/educational endeavors, medical and
dental, social and family issues, housing, and any other area
the individual deems necessary. A client-centered approach is
practiced to deliver an optimum level of care. Access to the
case management program is 24 hours per day, seven days per
week.
Region I mental health staff perform both direct service and administrative functions. The Intensive Case Management program provides direct community support related services to approximately 200 people living with mental illness. The Intensive Case Managers (ICMs) often bridge the service gap by providing quick response to immediate more intensive needs. This level of service is often required for a limited period of time allowing consumers to transition to other less intensive services. This enable new referrals to be accepted and served by staff.
The Consent Decree Coordinators work with BH contracted agencies serving "AMHI Class Members" (individuals who have been hospitalized at Augusta Mental Health Institute any time since January 1, 1988) in monitoring activities and compliance with the Consent Decree. They also work directly with many of the approximately 1,000 identified Class Members in Cumberland and York County who may not be receiving other mental health services in their community.
Adult mental health crisis service programs in York and Cumberland Counties continue to have a limited number of BH crisis staff working in their programs. These individuals work as part of their respective teams to provide crisis response to individuals in their homes and community.
Other Regional mental health clinical and administrative staff work day-to-day with consumers, family members, agencies, hospitals, housing providers, and community resources in a variety of ways. This is done both through direct work with consumers as well as in collaboration with providers.
The Intensive Case Management (ICM) Program - The ICM Program provides services to adults 18 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with mental illness. Often, the individuals with whom the ICM Program works are those who have not benefited from more traditional mental health services provided in the community.
ICM workers are given the flexibility necessary to connect with individuals who, for a variety of reasons, may not have previously chosen to receive mental health services. This includes connecting with people who are living in shelters or on the street, are incarcerated in county jails or state correctional facilities, are frequent recipients of emergency room and inpatient services, and AMHI Consent Decree Class Members not otherwise receiving services.
ICM workers either work directly out of the Region I office or are located in settings in the community. For those ICMs working with agencies or services in the community, the services provided are in conjunction with those offered in their respective settings.
The Regional Office based ICM program staff work in teams with each member assisting between 10 and 15 individuals at any time. This allows for the time and flexibility necessary to respond more effectively to consumer needs. Services provided include assistance in obtaining basic supports, such as housing and entitlements, and gaining access to their needed mental health services.
Consent Decree Coordinators - The Adult Mental Health Program within the Region I Office employs 3 Consent Decree Coordinators, who are responsible for helping the Department and its contracted mental health agencies meet the requirements of the AMHI Consent Decree. Major duties of the Consent Decree Coordinators include monitoring the quality and timeliness of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) developed by contracted agencies, responding to questions and concerns expressed by those receiving or providing services pursuant to the Consent Decree, reviewing unmet needs identified on ISPs, conducting a quarterly mailing to class members who do not receive case management services, and overseeing the information database related to Consent Decree activities.
Consent Decree Coordinators work closely with the Mental Health Team Leader and the ICM Program to ensure that Consent Decree services are well organized and coordinated within the Regional Office.
Crisis Services - Crisis services for adults living with mental illness in Cumberland County are provided by Ingraham, Inc. Ingraham (Portland) Teen Hotline 207-774-TALK (8255) or
Toll Free in Maine 1-800-870-9998 or 1-800-870-9992.
Administrative Office/Mental Health Services
175 Lancaster Street,
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207)822-0126 or 1 800-269-5208
FAX: (207)822-0295
TTY: 888 254-3011
Administrative Office/Children Services
161 Marginal Way
Portland, ME 04101-2438
Phone: (207) 822-2231
FAX: (207) 822-2146
TTY: (888) 720-1925
