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Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare reports staffing gains, network gaps and mobile-crisis expansion plans
Summary
David McClain, CEO of Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare, reported new clinical hires, outlined plans to expand a state-funded mobile-crisis response and said network adequacy metrics currently show Okanogan County below regional benchmarks. The board asked for implementation timelines and coordination with law enforcement and social services.
David McClain, CEO of Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare (OBHC), told commissioners the organization recently filled several key clinical positions — including a psychiatric prescriber and a master's-level therapist — and is actively recruiting for remaining roles.
McClain said state network adequacy reporting currently places the county in the red for mental-health and substance-use provider access, but he attributed part of the problem to reporting limitations: multiple service locations (schools, teletherapy rooms and the main clinic) were not consistently transmitted as multiple sites, making geographic coverage look worse than the service footprint actually is. OBHC plans to correct that reporting through billing and back-office work by the fourth quarter.
He confirmed that Carilion has funded an expansion of mobile-crisis capacity tied to OBHC's proposal and that the agency is hiring several new staff to support 24/7 coverage and improved response; the short-term target is to respond to crisis calls within a two-hour window when possible. McClain also discussed operational risks tied to Medicaid reimbursement uncertainty and the agency's strategy to budget for potential revenue reductions.
On housing and higher-acuity services, OBHC described plans to shift some show-of-house beds toward higher-acuity crisis clients and to explore med-monitoring programs in community settings, while highlighting the cost and FTE intensity of those models.
Commissioners thanked OBHC for filling clinical roles and asked staff to remain engaged on crisis response coordination, data-sharing protocols and potential training (e.g., CIT) to strengthen joint responses with law enforcement.
