Layoffs hit Calais residential facility; more cuts avoided

Forty positions have been cut at the Calais-based Residential Services division of Washington County Psychotherapy Associates (WCPA). Dr. John Edwards, a founding partner of WCPA, says that if it were not for a pending acquisition of WCPA by Aroostook Mental Health Services (AMHC) many other positions might have been cut. "The loss of positions was actually minimized because of the acquisition," he says, adding, "We'll be consolidating our residential program beds from 25 to 15. All other services will remain the same in Washington County.

For 12 years WCPA has provided crisis, counseling, residential and geriatric services in Washington and Hancock counties. Since 1964 AMHC has provided outpatient and residential services including emergency, mental health, substance abuse, community support, and speech and language services in Aroostook County.

The two organizations have "worked well together over the years to address the state's changing emphasis" in services and eligibility requirements by looking at "programmatic processes to be the most flexible, resilient and capable of providing quality services in rural areas," says Edwards. In a prepared release, AMHC states, "The intent of this initiative is to strengthen the ongoing programmatic and financial viability of behavioral and related physical health care services in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties in a manner that proactively recognizes and responds to the very real challenges of today's regulatory and economic climate.

Jamie Owens, director of marketing and development for AMHC, explains, "The state has been really struggling with the budget." She says that over the past six years her company has had a 22% contraction in its budget because of state-level budget cuts.

"We've been seeing the same amount of people," says Edwards, "but smaller amounts of services and timeframes based on eligibility and reimbursements," both of which are determined by the state. "The frequency of use becomes restricted," Edwards says of the state's determination of who is qualified for what services.

After the acquisition is complete, AMHC will continue to offer services in Aroostook County under its own name. Washington and Hancock counties will be served under a yet to be determined name. "Our goal has always been to see how we can realign within a reduced budget. We've worked very successfully in the past with WCPA by looking at ways to share 'backroom' functions such as information technology and finances," says Owens.

"This will allow for more flexibility by bringing complementary things to the table," adds Edwards. The goal, they both agree, is to handle the state's budget cuts to the Medicaid or MaineCare population by doing more with less, finding efficiencies that are cost-effective but do not compromise the quality of provided services.