Sixteen ACH members have received a portion of the $240 million in new funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as part of a national effort to expand mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services to patients of community health centers. 

The Biden-Harris Administration has called on Congress to require and fund mental health and substance use disorder services in all HRSA-supported health centers nationwide that together serve more than 32 million people. Currently, health centers are only able to meet about 27% of the demand for mental health services and 6% of the substance use disorder treatment demand among their patients, according to the HRSA announcement.

The FY24 Behavioral Health Service Expansion Awards will benefit more than 10 million people by increasing access to high-quality, stigma-free, culturally competent behavioral health services in underserved communities. 

Among those health centers receiving awards are the following ACH members:

 

ACH member Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS) is tackling mental health and SUD challenges in rural New Mexico. 

“Due to the stigma of behavioral health treatments, limited access, cost, and denial, people are not as likely to seek treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders. Physical health issues are more likely to cause someone to seek care,” said PMS Chief Executive Officer Steve Hansen. He added that PMS’ primary healthcare centers are already well-established in communities throughout New Mexico, where mental health and SUD concerns have been identified.

To build upon the benefits of integrated primary care and behavioral health and expand access to treatment options, PMS plans to use FY24 Behavioral Health Service Expansion funding to:

  • Develop an internal Medication for Opioid Use Disorders (MOUD) supporting a clinician/champion who will directly mentor and support their broader prescriber workforce in providing MOUD care.
  • Add behavioral health therapy at two additional locations, one of which serves a housing complex and low-income neighborhood in Santa Fe, and the other is located in a remote area of Santa Fe County.
  • Add a prescriber in our Southern Region, supporting health centers in Otero County.
  • Add additional SUD (including MOUD) services at Totah Behavioral Health Authority, which predominantly serves American Indian residents in San Juan County.
  • Develop Pain Management groups based on the positive results from a pilot group that has started at PMS Family Health Center in Rio Rancho, located in Sandoval County.
  • Train staff on Community Reinforcement Approach Family Training (CRAFT) to teach others how to interact and stay connected with someone addicted to drugs or alcohol, increase communication, and effectively encourage the person to seek treatment while taking care of themselves in the process.
  • Create a peer program to support some social determinants of health components, including PMS’ supported housing programs in San Juan County.

 

In central Washington state, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic (YVFWC) is increasing access to quality behavioral health services by expanding mental health and SUD services across central Washington. 

YVFWC’s Vice President of Behavioral Health Services, Bryan Hatcher, shared how the HRSA funding will empower their efforts: “The HRSA funding we received for this project springboards our plans for expanding mental health and substance use disorder services that will enhance patient well-being and build a stronger, healthier community.“

YVFWC’s goals for the funding include:

  • Hiring more mental health professionals, SUD counselors, and peer specialists
  • Reducing opioid-related harm with evidence-based care
  • Strengthening outreach for high-risk youth and families

As a result of personnel hired with Behavioral Health Services Expansion funding, YVFWC proposes to serve an additional 400 mental health patients, 86 SUD patients, and 420 patients receiving MOUD treatment by 2025.

For nearly 60 years, community health centers have served as trusted community providers. ACH members are at the forefront of caring for uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid-enrolled individuals, making them well-positioned to lead these efforts within their communities. We are proud of our members’ dedication to improving health outcomes in their communities and look forward to the positive impact this funding will bring.

For more information about the HRSA awards and to view the full list of recipients, visit the HHS website.

Sandy Applebee

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