KENANSVILLE — Mental health services in Duplin, Sampson, Lenoir and Wayne counties have seen an increase in services during trying economic times. Eastpointe Human Services is the LME (Local Management Entity) responsible for mental health service in these counties.

Eastpointe CEO, Ken Jones, shared with the Duplin County Commissioners during their recent meeting, “We are pleased with what we have been able to provide to the counties in our area. We have received several awards for the services we provide.” Eastpointe works with over 100 vendors to provide services to the citizens in the four county district and ranks No. 3 in the state in providing services to those in need.

The CEO shared that Eastpointe has entered into an agreement with the Duplin Cooperative Extension Services office and Duplin General Hospital to better serve the citizens of the county. They have also been able to implement a Mobile Crisis Team in all four of the counties. In Duplin County they have person at the hospital 24-hours, 365 days a year, and are accessible through an 800 number and will dispatch the mobile unit to the schools or a place in need of the team’s services or they will direct them to someone in crisis at the hospital or other areas throughout the county. Eastpointe served 12,300 consumers across the region with 2,300 from Duplin County. $3.5 million have been spent in Duplin to provide mental health services to it’s citizens.

Challenges facing Eastpointe are like everyone else in the state, reductions in funding. Jones stated that they had a reduction in funds amounting to $2.5 million. “The developmentally disabled consumers were the most affected by those cuts,” said the CEO. Eastpointe had to move $1 million from fund balance required by the state in order to meet their budget last year.

Jones also expressed that the state wants to reduce the number of LMEs.

This would mean that the current region would have to combine so that they would serve a Medicaid population of around 70,000. Eastpointe currently serves a Medicaid population of around 50,000. “We would have to either bring in Onslow and Carteret or add the Southeast region of Columbus, Bladen, Scotland and Robeson or Edgecombe, Wilson and Greene counties possibly,” stated Jones. Over the next year there will be a lot a discussion to form the new partnership to provide the services. “The state’s idea is to reduce the administrative costs across the state.” Eastpointe hopes to be able to maintain a local presence in all the counties in which they serve as they do currently. They currently have walk-in clinics in each of the counties in their region.

Following a presentation of Eastpointe’s financial audit to the board, the commissioners approved a proclamation declaring May as Mental Health Month in Duplin County.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.