Frequently asked questions
about Seven Counties Services, Inc.

Is Seven Counties Services part of state or any other government?
No, Seven Counties is not part of the federal, state, city or county government. It is a private, non-profit corporation. By state statute, however, Kentucky’s community mental health centers are responsible for comprehensive planning and resource allocation in the areas of mental health, mental retardation and other developmental disabilities, and substance abuse for their regions.

Is Seven Counties licensed? Is it accreditated?
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services licenses Seven Counties Services as a healthcare provider. Our clinical staff, such as physicians, psychologists, nurses, and clinical social workers, also are required by the state to be licensed.

Since 1993, the Joint Commission has accredited Seven Counties Services. Seven Counties is a member of the Mental Health Corporations of America (MHCA). MHCA members are leaders in the delivery of cost-effective behavioral health services.

Seven Counties is also a member of the National Council for Community Behavioral Health (NCCBH). Our Crisis and Information Center is also accredited by the American Association of Suicidology.

What are the sources of Seven Counties’ revenues?
About 29% of Seven Counties’ budget comes from a contract that the organization holds with the Ky. Cabinet for Health Services (Dept. for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services and Division Substance Abuse) to provide and then underwrite services to state-designated priority populations, such as persons with a severe and persistent mental illness, children, pregnant women, intravenous drug users, etc.

Another 37% of the budget comes from Medicaid/Medicare billings.

Federal, state, and local grants make up 29%, other revenues 3%, and private pay and commercial insurance 2%.

How does Seven Counties spend the funds?
Mental health services/programs comprise about 55% of the budget; alcohol and drug services/programs about 12%; mental retardation and other developmental services about 12%, and the remaining 22% is for fiscal agency.

Does Seven Counties ever subcontract for the delivery of services?
Seven Counties has established an affiliated network of service providers throughout the region. It subcontracts with these organizations for a variety of mental health, developmental disability and alcohol and drug services. See Services for a complete list of current Affiliates and subcontracted services.

Seven Counties may choose to subcontract when criteria are met; for example, the quality of service delivery can be expected to measurably improve; there is short-term need or time limitations do not reasonably justify the use of or expansion of existing in-house resources; highly specialized skills, equipment or staff are needed and not available; and it is more cost-effective to subcontract.

What are Seven Counties’ particular areas of specialty?

Our particular areas of expertise are in offering treatment and support to:

• persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses (for example, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, chronic depression)
• children with a severe emotional disturbance and their families or caregivers
• persons using/abusing alcohol and drugs
• persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities

There also is growing recognition of our efforts in the field of prevention.

05/08