Case Management Support & Community Health Services
We are a community-based organization focused on serving marginalized communities in rural areas in order to improve individual and community health. Across six counties and five offices, we support three major program areas: case management for specific client populations, clinical programs to help stigmatized patients re-establish in care and stabilize their health, and prevention programs to limit the spread of communicable disease.
About Us
Our Mission
We improve the health and quality of life for our clients, through the use of evidence-based, high quality, client-centered risk reduction and case management approaches for stigmatized patient populations, including people living with HIV/AIDS and substance use disorder.
Care Services
Entering Care Programs
Finding out you or someone you love has been diagnosed with HIV or starting your path to recovery from drug use can be difficult emotionally and feel overwhelming. Our Case Managers and Care Navigators can explain in an accessible way how we can support you. Whether you are facing living with HIV/AIDS or living in recovery, you can take control over your future, and we will help you live a high quality life. Our agency will help you find medical specialists, navigate insurance, connect you to a variety of services like therapy and acupuncture, and join a support group with other people living with these issues.
Treatment Programs
People facing substance dependence can work with our clinicians to receive buprenorphine-based medications to treat opioid use disorder. Sublingual and long-acting medications are prescribed depending on the needs of each client, and clients in our treatment program are offered our comprehensive array of services, including case management, mental health counseling, SUD assessments, contingency management, and wraparound care.
Medical Case Management
Our clients and Medical Case Manager work collaboratively to develop service plans that include achievable goals on a variety of issues, such as taking medications, budgeting, planning healthy meals, scheduling transportation to appointments, and ensuring clients have stable and sustainable housing. These case management programs include:
- Case management for people living with HIV/AIDS (under the Ryan White Care Act)
- Low-barrier opioid treatment and case management for people who have opioid use disorder, including induction onto and maintenance on buprenorphine, an opioid recovery medication
- “Recovery Rewards” contingency management program of increasing incentives for negative methamphetamine drug screens, which comes with our full complement of case management services.
Diversion Programs
Clients caught up in the legal system due to struggles with substances or mental health complexity can enroll in our braided diversion programs, which are based on the Let Everyone Advance with Dignity (LEAD) model framework. These programs include the Recovery Navigator Program (RNP) funded by the Health Care Authority, and the Arrest and Jail Alternatives Program (AJA) managed by the Washington Alliance of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).
BMHTH also serves as the medical provider for the Walla Walla County Adult Jail, and our opioid treatment program works with the diversion programs to provide stability for clients if they return to the jail, and as they release back to the community.
Clinical Programs
As the inaugural rural demonstration site for the Health Engagement Hub Program, health care providers and nursing staff offer a primary care service that is integrated with our excellent non-medical case management and wraparound care services. Clients who have been lost to traditional primary care practice have this opportunity to receive full preventive and primary care, with additional emphasis on reproductive care.
Prevention
HIV and Syphilis Testing
Free testing is offered Monday- Thursday during office hours. We use fingerstick rapid tests with results in one minute for HIV, and blood draws with lab-confirmed results for syphilis.
Hepatitis C Testing & Treatment
Like HIV testing, hepatitis C testing is available to people with risk factors. Results are given in twenty minutes. Tests use a small amount of blood from an individual’s finger. Our clinicians also treat HCV.
Risk Reduction Services
The purpose of this program is to prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C through the sharing of syringes or injection drug equipment. People using syringes for illicit drug use may bring their syringes during office hours for an exchange with a clean syringe. Additionally, people smoking substances like fentanyl can receive safer smoking kits, to reduce the likelihood of breakage or of non-medical-grade equipment being used instead. Syringe exchanges are limited to 500 per person per day, and smoking kits are limited to one kit per day.
Opioid Overdose Reversal
We offer naloxone hydrochloride in two formats: as intra-muscular shot and via a nasal spray, for opioid users to reverse overdose. Instructions on using the naloxone are provided at our office and also available online here.
Vaccination Services
We supply vaccines for tetanus, shingles, influenza, hepatitis A/B, and COVID-19. These are all offered free of charge.
News
Recent Causes
- Blue Mountain Heart to Heart Awarded $500,000 for Central FacilityApril 23, 2023 Blue Mountain Heart to Heart (BMHTH) is pleased to announce $500,000 in support in the Washington State 2023-2024 budget as a capital budget project toward constructing our first central office. The project site just west of downtown Walla Walla was purchased in 2022 on roughly a half-acre lot. Building design of theContinue reading “Blue Mountain Heart to Heart Awarded $500,000 for Central Facility”
- Mobile Clinic Makes the RoundsApril 14, 2023 Using funding from the Washington State Department of Health and NASTAD, staff have created a service schedule for “Heals on Wheels,” the Blue Mountain Heart to Heart mobile clinic. This two-room RV supports several clinical services, including wound care, vaccinations, HIV, hepatitis C, and STI testing, as well as support services whichContinue reading “Mobile Clinic Makes the Rounds”
- Low-Barrier Medication Assisted Treatment Expands to Tri-CitiesOpening a new office in the middle of a pandemic isn’t easy, but it was our goal. Blue Mountain Heart to Heart expanded its low-barrier buprenorphine clinic in April on the south side of Kennewick. Clients wanting to start recovery are served by a nurse case manager, a care navigator who can help with socialContinue reading “Low-Barrier Medication Assisted Treatment Expands to Tri-Cities”
Become a Volunteer
With the aim of helping as many people as possible, we can always use help preparing supplies, doing outreach, and generally supporting the office. Contact us for more information on how you can volunteer!
Blue Mountain Heart to Heart 