What Metropolitan Human Services District does

Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD) is a Louisiana state Local Governing Entity (LGE) legislatively designated to operate community-based behavioral health programs for the parishes of Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard. Established as one of ten LGEs in the state, MHSD delivers mental health treatment, addiction recovery services (including medication-assisted treatment with Suboxone and Vivitrol), and intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) services to uninsured and Medicaid-eligible residents of the tri-parish area through five clinic locations plus one contractor site in Plaquemines. The organization offers same-day walk-in access, scheduled appointments, a 24/7 crisis line (844-568-MHSD), and is the largest employer of licensed clinical staff among behavioral health agencies in the tri-parish region.

The organization's core digital product is MHSD Connect, a behavioral health patient portal launched April 2, 2024, which provides scheduling, secure messaging, and Zoom-integrated telehealth for remote care, available via mobile app and web. Service lines span child and youth services (ages 0–21, including early childhood and First Episode Psychosis programs), adult mental health and addiction services, and a portfolio of Medicaid Waiver programs (Children's Choice, Supports, Residential Options Waiver, New Opportunities Waiver) administered for qualifying individuals with developmental disabilities. Supporting capabilities include a Peer Support Program staffed by individuals with lived experience, a Resource Coordination Unit, Mental Health First Aid training offered in partnership with LPHI and NAMI New Orleans, and a Homeless Outreach service for children and youth.

MHSD's revenue model is fully public-sector driven: Medicaid reimbursement for covered services, federal SAMHSA grants for addiction and behavioral health programs, and state appropriations administered through the Louisiana Department of Health's Office of Behavioral Health, supplemented by a sliding-fee discount program under which services are never refused for inability to pay. The organization is CARF accredited and HIPAA-compliant, partners with LSU School of Medicine, Tulane University Schools of Medicine, the New Orleans VA Medical Center, LCMC Health, UMC New Orleans, Healthcare for the Homeless, and the New Orleans Health Department, and is led by Executive Director Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham alongside a CFO, General Counsel/Deputy Director, and Deputy Director of Behavioral Health and Data.

Name

Metropolitan Human Services District

Legal name

Metropolitan Human Services District

Website

https://mhsdla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Metropolitan Human Services District is a Louisiana Local Governing Entity providing mental health, addiction, and intellectual/developmental disability services to uninsured and Medicaid-eligible residents of Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes through five clinics, a 24-hour crisis line, and the MHSD Connect telehealth portal launched in April 2024.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Behavioral Health Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (62142), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) & Public Behavioral Health Providers (HLAFACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK), Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO), Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC)

Keywords

• Community behavioral health
• Mental health treatment
• Addiction recovery services
• Developmental disability support
• Public mental healthcare

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government/Federal Funding: Receives funding from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) for addiction services programs. Serves as a state local governing entity for behavioral health services.
2. Medicaid Revenue: Serves Medicaid-eligible individuals and processes Medicaid payments for covered behavioral health services. All clinics are Medicaid Application Centers.
3. Sliding Fee Program: Discount program on standard charges based on household income and family size for uninsured or underinsured individuals. Services not refused due to inability to pay.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Metropolitan Human Services District provides publicly funded community-based behavioral health services across Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes in Louisiana. Its core service lines include mental health treatment (psychiatric evaluation, medication management, individual/group therapy), addiction recovery (Suboxone/Vivitrol medication-assisted treatment, opioid/alcohol/cocaine/gambling counseling), and intellectual/developmental disability services (Medicaid Waiver programs, respite care, positive behavioral support). Delivery is through five clinic locations, a 24-hour crisis line, and the MHSD Connect telehealth patient portal.

Product overview

Metropolitan Human Services District operates as a single unified healthcare organization providing behavioral health services across Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes in Louisiana. The organization offers a coordinated suite of services through five clinic locations. The core digital product is MHSD Connect, a patient portal launched in April 2024 that enables scheduling, secure messaging, and telehealth via Zoom integration. Core clinical service lines include Mental Health Services, Addiction Recovery (featuring Suboxone Treatment Program and Medication-Assisted Treatment), Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services, and Child & Youth Services. Supporting modules include Mental Health First Aid Training, Peer Support Program, Resource Coordination Unit, Crisis Response Services (24-hour helpline), and Homeless Outreach Services. The organization also administers Medicaid Waiver Programs (Children's Choice, Supports, ROW, NOW) and partners with the EVIVE app for gambling support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MHSD Connect: Behavioral Health Patient Portal for scheduling, secure communication, and tele-health services launched April 2, 2024

Products and services

• MHSD Connect Telehealth Patient Portal Behavioral health patient portal providing appointment scheduling, secure communication with providers, and audio/video telehealth sessions. Available as a mobile app on the Apple App Store and Google Play, plus web browser access. Patients can join telehealth sessions, manage appointments, and receive appointment reminders. Telehealth delivered via a Zoom video-conferencing integration.
• Adult Mental Health Services Outpatient mental health and psychiatric services for adults, including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual and group therapy, HIV/TB testing, and community resource coordination. Available at MHSD's five clinic locations across the tri-parish area.
• Child and Youth Services Outpatient behavioral health services for children and adolescents, including early childhood services (ages 0–5), psychiatric evaluations, mental health and substance use evaluations, medication management, individual and group therapy, First Episode Psychosis programming for ages 15–21, and crisis intervention.
• Addiction Recovery Services Comprehensive outpatient addiction treatment including walk-in screening, medication options (Suboxone, Vivitrol), tobacco cessation programming, and gambling problem support via the EVIVE app. Operated under SAMHSA-funded specialty opioid and addiction service lines.
• Suboxone Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Walk-in or call-based screening for opioid use disorder, assessment with an addictions counselor, and Suboxone prescription for qualified patients. Delivered at MHSD clinics across the tri-parish area.
• Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services Lifespan services (from age 2.5) for individuals with intellectual or physical impairments that occurred before age 22, including disability-related expense support, respite care, intermediate care facility placement assistance, PASRR nursing home assessments, positive behavioral support, psychiatric services, and Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver program administration (Children's Choice, Supports, ROW, NOW). No income restrictions for I/DD services.
• Crisis Response Services 24-hour crisis helpline (844-568-MHSD / 844-568-6473) and crisis response team for mental health, addiction, and intellectual/developmental disability crises. No refusal of services due to inability to pay.
• Mental Health First Aid Training Evidence-based Mental Health First Aid training course teaching participants to recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. Offered in Youth/Teen MHFA (ages 12–18) and Adult MHFA formats to schools, workplaces, organizations, and community groups.
• Peer Support Program Structured therapeutic activity delivered by trained, self-identified recipients of behavioral health services (Peer Support Specialists). Guides persons served toward recovery goals using lived experience.
• Homeless Outreach Services Field-based mental health support and referral services for homeless children and youth across Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes. Includes linkage to healthcare and shelter partners.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LCMC HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for community health initiatives including the 'Erase the Stigma: Black Vaccinations Matter' forum in 2021, demonstrating collaboration on community health awareness campaigns.
• Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLPHI is a recognized MHFA training partner offering evidence-based Mental Health First Aid training to partners, communities, and individuals to advance behavioral health and community resilience in Louisiana.
• NAMI New Orleans (National Alliance on Mental Illness)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAMI New Orleans is a recognized MHFA training partner in the Mental Health First Aid Collective for New Orleans, providing culturally responsive community outreach and mental health training.
• New Orleans VA Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHSD clinic locations are within 50 miles of Military Treatment Facilities and 40 miles of VA medical facilities. Veterans are referred to VA for specialized mental health care, psychiatric care, and alcohol/substance treatment. Address: 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119-6535.
• LSU School of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with LSU for psychological, psychiatric, and supportive services for children and adolescents. Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham serves as Endowed Professor at LSU School of Medicine.
• Tulane University Schools of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Tulane for psychological, psychiatric, and supportive services for children and adolescents. Dr. Head-Dunham holds academic appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor.
• SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)coreOthersFederal agency providing funding for addiction services programs including specialty opioid treatment services, child addiction services, and behavioral health support programs.
• WWNO Public RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership for public health reporting including coverage of opioid overdoses and Narcan training initiatives in 2024.
• Daughters of CharityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for connecting individuals to primary care services as part of holistic health approach, addressing the connection between behavioral and physical health.
• University Medical Center (UMC) New OrleansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for primary care referral network supporting individuals' overall health alongside behavioral health treatment.
• Healthcare for the HomelessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing healthcare linkage for homeless individuals receiving mental health and addiction services from MHSD.
• New Orleans Health DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal health department partner for coordinated care and health services integration in the New Orleans area.
• Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)coreOthersState authority overseeing behavioral health services. MHSD operates as a Local Governing Entity under LDH's Office of Behavioral Health. Monthly radio segments through LDH Bureau of Family Health.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD: Community mental health and intellectual/developmental disability authority serving Harris County (Houston), TX. Closest large-city analogue to MHSD in combining mental health, addiction, and I/DD services under a single public authority with clinic-based delivery.
• Howard Center: Vermont-designated community mental health and developmental services agency serving Chittenden County. Comparable community-mental-health-center model with multi-population mandate and Medicaid-driven revenue.
• Northeast Delta Human Services Authority: Louisiana regional human services authority providing mental health, addiction, and developmental disability services in northeast parishes. Peer LGE with the same legislated mandate structure as MHSD.
• Central Louisiana Human Services District: Louisiana LGE serving behavioral health and I/DD populations across multiple central parishes. Identical statutory role, revenue model (Medicaid/SAMHSA/state), and clinical service lines as MHSD.
• Acadiana Area Human Services District: One of Louisiana's ten Local Governing Entities providing behavioral health, addiction, and I/DD services in the Acadiana region. Directly comparable governance, funding, and service-delivery structure to MHSD; differs only in geographic mandate.
• Florida Parishes Human Services Authority: Louisiana regional authority delivering behavioral health and I/DD services across multiple Florida Parishes. Operates under the same state LGE governance and Medicaid funding framework as MHSD.
• River Edge Behavioral Health: Georgia community service board providing mental health, addiction, and I/DD services in the Macon-Bibb County region. Closely mirrors MHSD's public-authority model, clinic-based delivery, and tri-population mandate.
• Northwest Louisiana Human Services District: Louisiana LGE covering northwest parishes with behavioral health and I/DD services. Same statutory authority and tri-population mandate (mental health, addiction, developmental disabilities) as MHSD.
• ImperialCalcasieu Human Services District: Southwest Louisiana LGE providing outpatient mental health, substance use, and I/DD services. Direct peer in governance model, clinic-based delivery, and Medicaid-funded revenue mix.

Broad incumbents

• Centerstone: Large national nonprofit behavioral health provider offering mental health, addiction, and I/DD services across multiple states. Comparable service breadth to MHSD but operates as a broader portfolio of programs with multiple funding sources and geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MHSD_LA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChI6U9q5VF3VEdvuBdq_4Yw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Metropolitan-Human-Services-District-280605832358045
• Instagraminstagram.com/mhsd_la
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metropolitan-human-services-district

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Metropolitan Human Services District