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Higgins: Nearly $2 million in funding for community mental health services

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Thu, Sep 29th 2022 09:05 am

Supports behavioral health clinics serving Western New York’s underserved communities

Congressman Brian Higgins announced two federal grants totaling $1,979,097 awarded to Endeavor Health Services and the Community Health Center of Buffalo (CHCB). His team said, “Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and awarded through the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics program, grants will expand access to mental health and substance use services in Western New York’s underserved communities.”

Higgins noted, “Mental health and substance use challenges impact thousands of Western New York families, especially as the community contends with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding awarded to Endeavor Health Services and the Community Health Center of Buffalo will support programs that target the most vulnerable members of our community and improve access to 24-hour crisis services. This is another investment in comprehensive, life-saving care that will create a healthier future for Western New York families as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”

Community Health Center of Buffalo CEO Dr. LaVonne Ansari said, “Mental health services are as essential as primary and preventative health care. As we begin to reimagine the mental health landscape in WNY, communities of color are still dealing with a heightened level of trauma. Access to expanded mental health services is crucial. This grant could not have been more timely. We are thankful to be one of the recipients of this opportunity.”

COO Scott Morton said, “Endeavor Health Services is excited to be able to be able to expand services in east Buffalo. This grant will help us launch and operate a crisis stabilization center, design and implement a best-in-class diversity, equity and inclusion initiative for the organization and its comprehensive CCBHC services, and strengthen its whole-person, integrated care by implementing a robust nurse care management program in partnership with minority-led primary care providers.”

Again, the press release explained, “The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) program works to transform community behavioral health systems, and provide comprehensive, person-centered behavioral health care. Grants awarded through this program improve access to community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatments. They also support 24-hour crisis services available to anyone in need, regardless of where they live and their ability to pay. This includes anyone seeking care for mental health and substance abuse, including serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorder (SUD), as well as children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED). The program supports clinics in underserved communities facing significant health disparities.”

Through this grant program, Endeavor Health Services will receive $971,595 to support its “Endeavor CCBHC Serving the Community” program. Community Health Center of Buffalo will receive $999,502 to support its “Improving Access to Behavioral Health and Crisis Care in the Greater Buffalo Area” program. Grants given to these organizations are two of just 156 awarded to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the country.

The press release said, “To qualify as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, an organization must provide 24-hour crisis mental health care; patient-centered treatment planning; outpatient primary care, mental health and substance use services; psychiatric rehabilitation; peer support; counseling; family support services; and intensive mental health care for veterans and military members.”

Endeavor Health Services and the Community Health Center of Buffalo are two of only 13 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in New York.

Endeavor Health Services is online at https://www.ehsny.org/. Community Health Center of Buffalo is online at https://chcb.net/.

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