Frank Fortunati, MD, JD, Interim Medical Director at Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital, has been appointed to the Legislature’s Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council.
Fortunati’s appointment was made November 18 by House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, and takes effect immediately.
According to its website, the council advises the State Departments of Children and Families (DCF), Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and Social Services (DSS) on the planning and implementation of the state’s integrated behavioral health service system, known as the Behavioral Health Partnership (BHP).
BHP was established to offer quality behavioral health services to HUSKY (Medicaid) recipients, Charter Oak Health plan members, and children and families enrolled in DCF programs. Among its goals, the BHP seeks to expand individualized, family-centered, community-based services; maximize federal revenue for behavioral health services; reduce unnecessary use of institutional and residential services for children; improve administrative oversight and efficiencies; and monitor individual outcomes and provider performance.
The council, which meets monthly, reviews the delivery of those services to ensure maximum federal revenue, and makes recommendations to the state agencies and Legislature based on its review of reports related to services and finances.
Fortunati is the Interim Medical Director at Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital, the primary site for Yale New Haven Hospital’s adult and adolescent psychiatric services. The hospital is an inpatient facility that specializes in the rapid assessment and treatment of acute and severe psychiatric symptoms. It offers a full spectrum of innovative and advanced treatments.