There are some significant issues with the the change that this proposes. The first issue is that prescreeners outside of the CSB system are not connected to the services provided by the CSB and other community partners the way a CSB currently is. The CSB system has access to multiple avenues of services and funding streams that provides direct care regardless of the individual's ability to pay. It is also concerning in regard to the potential increase in hospitalizations if private entities are prescreening. CSB prescreeners are very sensitive to the hospitalization criteria and often have to intervene now to prevent unneeded hospitalizations requested by private providers.  However the area that concerns me the most is that the individual in the community as a private provider being "a designee of the Community Services Board that serves the area where the client is physically located during the time of assessment, or that provides outpatient treatment to the client with all powers granted under applicable law." Having worked with private providers within other services, there is little control over the quality of the services being provided and the outcomes of those services. I am fully opposed to this change as it would not improve the prescreening system, but would further complicate and already complex process and system for the community.