I am looking for help standing up a Behavioral Health Section in a Reserve Brigade.

2015-04-21T16:51:55-04:00

Hi,

I am a 68X assigned to a Reserve Engineering Brigade. I am the first BH asset they have ever had or seen at this unit. I do not have a provider so I am staffing cases with the local MTF on call provider per guidance from Fort Sam Houston. I want to set this unit up for success for whenever our BH provider is assigned to the unit. I unfortunately am feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed with trying to create SOPs (I am trying to write them, but have no previous experience and nothing to model off of). If you have any Brigade oriented BH SOPs for the Reserves and things that may help me make this section the best it can be, lets talk. Also anything you think may be helpful I am open to.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Apr 21 at 2015 4:58 PM

2015-04-21T16:58:56-04:00

I don't have any experience with this one, have you considered contacting the G1 or Surgeon in the 99 RSC in Fort Dix, NJ? Just trying to start the idea train on your question...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 5:45 PM

2015-04-21T17:45:42-04:00

I may be the guy that can help you. I an the XO of the 327th COSC in JBMDL formerly Ft Dix. We have about a 3rd of all the behavioral health providers in the Reserves and I wouldn't mind giving you the help you need, also we are a closer asset than JBSA.
Hit me up with a list of questions or anything at all and I will get back to you asap.
[login to see]

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 21 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-04-21T19:34:37-04:00

When I took in new jobs, I always used a flow chart to paint the picture. Good luck, it sounds like you have to roll up your sleeves on this one. SOPs are only as good as they were written.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Apr 21 at 2015 9:34 PM

2015-04-21T21:34:03-04:00

Do you have access to a Chaplin, because they are great for resources, other wise contact Fort Sam's.
Also contact:
LCDR Rabbi Jaron Matlow here in Rally Point.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 21 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-04-21T21:37:33-04:00

SOP isn't so hard. Get out the pen and paper and start writing down things, not in any order, but thoughts that come to your mind of what you need to do. Go back to your schooling, where you've worked before and think of the processes you went through to get things done, all the way from how you set up your office/clinic to how you interview a person. Once you get your ideas written down, then start to sort them in order. You will find things will change in this process as you put more thought into it. All an SOP is getting the steps down so someone can come in behind you and know how to do things. It is a live document and always changing as better ways/things come up all the time.

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 22 at 2015 4:01 PM

2015-04-22T16:01:49-04:00

Have you reach out to civilian or state resources and organizations?

http://www.azdhs.gov/bhs/gm.htm

Division of Behavioral Health Services: Guides and Manuals

Division of Behavioral Health Services150 N. 18th Avenue, 2nd FloorPhoenix, AZ 85007(602) 364-4558(602) 364-4570 FaxToll-free:1-800-867-5808Questions/Comments

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 7:17 PM

2015-04-22T19:17:08-04:00

I don't see my first attempt at a response. My name is Cpt VanLandingham and I am an AD clinical psychologist at West Point assigned to the corp of cadets. However, Keller army community hospital has a BH clinic and I believe, but could be mistaken, that the direct may be over those Fort Dix providers. Nonetheless, there are several AD psychologists and psychiatrists there. There are so many regulations you need to take into account plus more than just consultation, you may need actual supervision, as you know if you are seeing patients. But as others have said, you do not need to reinvent the wheel. I am sure they would share some stuff with you. But more than anything, they will be a referral source for you. They are the regions command directed providers and emergency evaluations done through the Keller er. Give me a ring in my office and I'll get you in touch with the director, Ltc hagemaster. My office is [login to see] .

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 8:44 AM

2015-04-23T08:44:51-04:00

Contact the Center for Health Care Services in downtown San Antonio.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 23 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-04-23T09:51:53-04:00

You should annotate all the coordinating POCs, units, or necessary actions.

SUBJECT: Unit Substance Abuse Program Standing Operating Procedures (SOP)

Purpose
This Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) is a Unit specific substance abuse program for the . Drug and alcohol abuse are not compatible with military service and every effort should be made to eliminate the abuse of alcohol and other drugs within this Command through prevention and treatment. This SOP and the references listed below will be used when conducting all urinalysis collections, drug and alcohol training, and prevention programs.
Applicability
All assigned and attached Company personnel.
References
A. AR 600-85, Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), dated 28 December 2012.
B. Unit Prevention Leader (UPL) Handbook, Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs (ACSAP), Version 3.
C. Fort Carson Command Policy CG-03, Subject: Command Alcohol Policy, dated 13 February 2012.
D. Fort Carson Command Policy CG-04, Subject: Fort Carson Military Personnel Drug Testing Policy, dated 13 February 2012.
E. Fort Carson Command Policy COS-03, Subject: Commander’s Policy on Risk Reduction.
F. Army Substance Abuse Program Military Collection SOP, Fort Carson, 1 June 2012.
Drug Use/Abuse
A. Using a controlled drug without prescription, or using the prescription of someone else, is drug abuse and is against the law. Using your own prescription, but not in accordance with (IAW) the prescription, is drug abuse.
B. Abusers will be subject to punishment under the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and will also be subject to administrative action IAW existing regulations.
C. Urinalysis testing is an accurate identifier of offenders and serves as an effective deterrent against experimentation. Toward the goal of eliminating drug use and abuse, the Commander will randomly collect (Testing Code IR) specimens at the rate of 4% per week, or as prescribed by the Battalion Commander with the goal being to collect a minimum number of specimens that equals or exceeds the number of Soldiers assigned to the Unit each year. In addition, the Commander may collect specimens under other test codes such as probable cause, fitness for duty, unit sweep, etc. However, the Commander should ensure that the annual number of specimens collected in Unit Sweeps (Testing Code IU) is no more than 75 percent of the annual number of specimens collected in random testing. Commanders should also note that conducting a Unit Sweep does not preclude the requirement to conduct that week’s IR test of 4% of the unit.

Responsibilities
Commander
A. Appoint a Primary Unit Prevention Leader (UPL) and a minimum of one alternate UPL by means of an appointment memorandum.
B. Ensure that the policies and procedures contained in the references cited above are followed by the UPLs.
C. Review and sign the USAP SOP annually.
D. Select Observers for all urinalysis collections (see UPL Handbook for Observer minimum requirements).
E. Select an NCO/Officer to be in charge of the holding area during collection procedures.
F. Ensure each week, as a minimum, 4% of the Unit’s Soldiers provide a urine specimen under testing code IR. Random Selection is a key component of Smart Testing, because it ensures the unpredictability of testing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 8:49 PM

2015-04-23T20:49:48-04:00

Message me your email and more details...I will help you out as much as I can.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 1:25 AM

2015-04-24T01:25:22-04:00

Shoot me an email with any questions and what you are still lacking. [login to see]
I am the NCOIC for the EBH's on JBLM and work with the BDE BH folks, and one of my employees was also a reserve OPS guy for a CSC and still has most of his SOP's that are reserve specific.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 12:50 PM

2015-04-24T12:50:45-04:00

Great question...I am in the same spot. Anything that you find please share!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 24 at 2015 1:44 PM

2015-04-24T13:44:09-04:00

I don't want to act crass, but you can find most anything on the internet.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 24 at 2015 1:47 PM

2015-04-24T13:47:00-04:00

If travel is involved who will do the DTS and who funds it. Just something to think about.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 1:55 AM

2015-04-29T01:55:02-04:00

http://www.tamc.amedd.army.mil/.../Adult Psychology Service SOP.doc

Here is a link to an SOP that I found, maybe it can help you out.