Grant for
Behavior Management Systems, Inc
Behavior Management Systems (BMS) is the Black Hills region's largest and most comprehensive provider of community-based behavioral and mental health services. Each year, BMS helps over 11,000 people of all ages cope with the stresses of life.
BMS is a leading member of the Black Hills Behavioral Health Collaborative, a coalition of more than 40 organizations that came together after a 2007 Black Hills Community Needs Assessment found serious gaps in access to affordable behavioral health services. The Collaborative corralled the expertise of key leaders to create a more responsive behavioral health system. This effort led to the creation of a Crisis Care Center (CCC), the first 24/7/365 mental health facility in the state.Staff at the Rapid City Crisis Care Center role play a medical screening as part of the intake process.
Since the CCC opened, suicides decreased from 28 to 19 and involuntary petitions dropped within 24 hours decreased from 60% to 47%. In addition to creating a more responsive and accessible behavioral health system, the work of the Collaborative has also resulted in awareness and training programs, leveraged resources, cost savings and national recognition.
Working collaboratively to create an innovation like the CCC required a willingness to listen and change, to take risks and pilot new programs, and to gain the trust and admiration of partners and stakeholders. All of these qualities are also evident in the internal culture of BMS, its leadership in the Collaborative and its implementation and management of the CCC.