The Gila River Behavioral Health Clinic now hires its own subcontractors to provide services, including services not found within the community. The clinic no longer has to rely on health care providers selected by other agencies who may not be familiar with the special needs of the tribe. In the past, when tribal members went outside the community for treatment, they often felt unwanted because providers were not sensitive to their needs. Now the clinic requires subcontractors to become familiar with the community and its culture and customs. The GRIC is the only RBHA that requires cultural sensitivity training of its mental health workers.
Case management makes up the bulk of services.
For seriously mentally ill adults, intensive case management is provided so they can maintain a quality of life that allows them to remain in the community and in their own home if possible. Strong community and family support in caring for seriously mentally ill community members has done much to keep them out of institutions and as independent as possible. The biggest impact of the RBHA is its ability to ensure continuity of care through case management, more accessible and faster services, and a wider range of services. Before the RBHA, progress was often not well monitored. Providers were not always held accountable for the level of care consumers received.