Brian Salazar

By Mary McPhail Gray
Board Chair

“It’s a client empowerment program!” says Brian Salazar in describing the new Community Coordinated Social Services (CCSS) program at Taos Behavior Health.

“Our goal is to empower all clients to be as independent as possible” says Salazar, who coordinates the newly-hired staff of 10.

All referrals of youth and adults receive a qualifying diagnosis and are supported by Medicaid. After an initial clinical assessment, goals are set in the areas of socialization, education, employment or work participation, positive living, and recreation/self-care. Services can be offered in our offices, in the school, homes or communities—wherever a goal can be worked toward and the client is comfortable.

The new CCSS workers are assigned to specific programs housed in the TBH agency: [Read more…] about New Services at Taos Behavioral Health

Mary Gray McPhail By Mary McPhail Gray
Board Chair

“I work from a deep commitment to partnership with my clients—asking them how we can help them achieve their goals” states Brian Salazar, the Director of the new Comprehensive Community Support Service (CCSS) program at Taos Behavioral Health. CCSS is a Centennial Medicaid-supported community-based behavioral program for individuals of all ages struggling with a mental health challenge that interferes with their successful independent functioning in the community. It provides psycho-social services to assist participants with learning the skills necessary to achieve the highest level of independent functioning, stability and independence.

After an assessment by a clinician, a plan is made with the client to cover five domains: community or independent living, employment or work, socialization, recreation and self-care, and thinking. Through group and individual sessions, the CCSS worker and client work together on goals in each area. “The client is in charge of making a self-assessment as we work together” states Salazar. If they are making progress, the client is able to find support for more fully participating in the community and building a satisfying life. In contrast to case management, where a professional performs the actions to link the client to systems, the CCSS professional teaches the client how to navigate systems and make use of resources they have seen as not open to them.