DDIT
Allen, Auglaize, Hardin & Putnam Counties Dual Diagnosis Treatment Team
The Dual Diagnosis Treatment Team, which we call the DDIT, was formed out of a larger MI/DD Task Force that began in 2004. The purpose of the DDIT is for a working group of professionals to come together monthly to hear a presentation of cases that need more assistance than the typical interdisciplinary team can manage. This group lends expertise, technical assistance, and support for some of the most difficult situations in our counties. We also have a limited amount of funds (to or that) help support short-term needs.
The DDIT began meeting in March of 2005. The group now meets quarterly or more often if there is a need. The members include representatives from four county boards of DD, Allen, Auglaize, Hardin and Putnam, two representatives from Coleman Behavioral Health which is the local mental health agency to three of the four counties and various other agencies have attended this group through the years. Case Managers, SSAs and other various professionals present cases and request assistance as they identify the need. This group has improved communication between DD and MH professionals in the county and has allowed for county boards of DD to even share insight and knowledge with each other on various topics. It is a unique opportunity to give advice or ideas without the constrictions of eligibility or county lines.
Through the past two years, this collaboration has been able to provide financial help for short term respite, transportation costs to psychiatric appointments, time limited home support staff to break a cycle of issues and meet various other needs. However, the real success has been in communicating more openly and having someone to call at another agency when the problem is out of our area of expertise. Each year we have collaborated to offer a community-wide training that tackles a tough topic in dual diagnosis area. The vision of the Center for Coordinating Excellence (CCODE) in Ohio many years ago challenged counties to come together and set common goals for individuals with dual diagnosis issues.