Thursday, May 1, 2025
5/1/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - Through this funding opportunity, Gándara Mental Health Center (Gándara Center) will modernize its existing St. George Behavioral Outpatient Health Clinic located in Springfield, Massachusetts to increase access to behavioral health services for individuals who experience substance use disorders and serious mental illnesses. The project will directly benefit a high risk and historically underserved population, including under resourced Hispanic and Latino communities, who experience compounding, negative health outcomes. Located in Hampden County, the existing one story rectangular commercial structure was built in 1981 and spans 9,600 square feet. Renovations will include creating 2,100 square feet of additional space to make the most of the remaining unimproved space, create additional offices, reconfigure existing offices and amenity spaces, introduce new building systems and exterior improvements. Key elements of the project include: Maximizing Space by capturing unimproved areas to make the most of the building’s footprint and create additional office spaces to accommodate Gándara Center’s growing needs. Additional office space will allow the Gándara Center to recruit and hire new Clinicians and Supervisors as well as create a dual-functioning Bilingual Testing Department/TMS Service Suite comprised of an office for our existing Assistant Supervisor of Testing, testing area, new Clinician office, Psychiatrist office, and waiting/service area. In addition, by creating a large conference room, which does not exist in the current facility, staff will be able to attend professional development activities including trainings, employee appreciation events, and staff meetings. New Building Systems including the installation of new HVAC and sprinkler systems to improve life safety, energy efficiency, ensure optimal comfort, and reduce operational costs. Office and Amenity Reconfiguration of existing office space and supporting spaces to enhance workflow efficiency, ensure optimal comfort, and reduce operational costs. Renovations will include creating a new waiting room, receptionist area, and a new suite of bathroom facilities to expand access to clients and staff as there is currently only one bathroom available. Exterior Improvements to improve accessibility and entry experience to the building as well as contribute to a positive community presence. This will include relocating the visitor entrance to the side of the facility to provide more accessibility for handicapped clients as well as to increase visibility to the public as the existing entrance is in the back of the building. As a result of renovations, Gándara Center will be able to hire at least 15 new Clinicians and two new licensed Supervisors as well as create a dual-functioning Bilingual Testing Department/TMS Service Suite to provide increased access to bilingual, trauma-informed, and non-stigmatizing services to as many as 2,000 additional clients annually. Expanded access will include servicing privately insured clients who we cannot currently serve due to a lack of supervisors. Upon award and obtaining required permits, etc., the Gándara Center anticipates construction will begin in December 2023 and be completed by June 2024.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).