Improving Access to Care for Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities by Integrating Primary Care into a Behavioral Health Setting: Lessons from the Field

International Community Health Services, a Federally Qualified Health Center, and Asian Counseling and Referral Service, a multi-social service agency, collaborated to develop a unique integrated model of care for Asian American and Pacific Islander patients with limited English proficiency and severe mental illness. In this practitioner’s essay, we explore lessons learned from a five- year demonstration project and discuss future implications related to health care reform and applicability to similar programs. Keys to the success of the project were committing to partnership, transforming staff roles, developing systems of documentation, adjusting productivity standards, and adapting for cultural competency