Monday, May 12, 2025
5/12/2025
PR Emergency Covid-19 Project - The Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (MHAASA) of Puerto Rico (PR) proposes a 16 months Emergency COVID-19 Project to address the following Population of focus: 1) Adults with SMI or co-occurring conditions, in treatment or not, their emotional health affected by COVID-19; 2) Healthcare workers with MHD (not SMI), requiring MH care as a result of COVID-19; and 3) Other adults with MHD, less severe than SMI, in treatment or recovery or not, affected emotional by COVID-19. Three models of services are propped: a) Referrals of SMI patients served in the ER State Psychiatric Hospital and those discharged who need interventions due to episodes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical MH staff of the MHAASA Emergency Project will provide telehealth interventions using EBP's of Motivational interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to stabilize emotional health and refer SMI patients to the psychiatrist medication prescriptions and further interventions. Those with insurance will be referred to their MH provider with follow-up. An estimated 2,800 SMI individuals are expected to be served. b) Two trained and certified peers will work with counselors of the PAS Hotline to develop and man telehealth services for services for other (non-SMI) MH patients in recovery, both those enrolled in the 6 agency Recovery Centers, closed temporarily due to COVID-19, and patients from the community advised of services through the MHAASA web page and public services announcement. Individual and group counseling will be provided. Two CoC's of PR (grouing 100 CBO's) financed by HUD have committed to coordinate services for homeless MH/SA individuals, that include temporary housing, SA treatment, food, and linkages for education, employment and other supports services in their communities. An estimated 1,200 persons with other MH/SUD are expected to be served. c) A Mobile Crisis Unit comprised of a clinical psychologist and social worker (SW) will provide emergency MH interventions on-site in 3 hospitals serving COVID-19 patients in San Juan (metro), Ponce (southern) and Mayaguez (Western), PR to offer EB treatment through weekly clinics to healthcare providers affected by COVID-19. Two nurses have died of COVID-19 in PR, and there is a staffing scarcity that severely affected practitioners working long hours at high risk of infection. Orientation will be provided to hospital administrators to coordinate appointments on the dates of the clinics for health practitioners, and the Clinical Services Unit of the PAS Hotline will attend calls from these workers between clinics for any crisis that arises or additional MH interventions. As required by the FOA, 70% of funding will be used to address SMI patient's treatment; 10% for treatment of healthcare practitioners with MHD; and 20% for other populations with MH/SUD's needing interventions and support services coordination. Data for GPRA performance measures and process aspects will be collected and reported, as required. A total budget of $500,000 is requested to finance a staff of a psychiatrist, 2 psychologist, 1 SW, protective and educational supplies for 14 months, estimating a 2-month start up period.
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).