Abstract: Vinfen Corporation’s CCBHC Expansion Grant Proposal to SAMHSA
Vinfen is a dynamic, innovative health and human services organization serving numerous Massachusetts communities. Using Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grant funds, Vinfen will develop its Lowell area services by: 1) expanding service access and availability for new and existing Lowell Clinic clients by increasing referrals and by centralizing intakes, supporting care transitions, and building capacity to better serve clients with co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorder; and 2) expanding care coordination for Lowell area clients through increasing enrollment of eligible individuals in existing programs or through enrollment in a new Lowell Care Coordination Program (LCCP). Vinfen will serve 800 total unduplicated individuals through two identified program goals.
In the Greater Lowell Area 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment report, the top three priority community needs were: mental health issues, substance addiction, and alcohol abuse/addiction. After affordable housing, access to mental health services was the second top community resource need. Further, the Middlesex County Restoration Committee, led by the Sheriff’s Office, April 2020 report describes the Lowell Region as “a high-need area with fewer available resources,” and a “significant immigrant population, with many residents facing linguistic and cultural barriers to accessing behavioral health services.”
Vinfen and its Designated Collaborating Organizations will sustain and expand all required CCBHC activities. Specifically, using CCBHC funds, Vinfen will formalize its Lowell referral network, establish a Centralized Intake and Triage process, and implement a new electronic health record, eHana, across service lines. Vinfen will also expand urgent behavioral health interventions and ensure dedicated care transitions support following an acute or sub-acute admission. Vinfen’s LCCP will provide care coordination to individuals who do not meet eligibility criteria for any of the other programs. Vinfen will also ensure that all clients receiving outpatient clinical services are assessed for eligibility in a care coordination program. Vinfen uses a multitude of evidence-based practices, and with CCBHC clients will employ: Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Harm Reduction.
Vinfen will collect NOMS for unduplicated clients meeting enrollment criteria at required intervals. Clinicians and Care Coordinators will conduct intakes and reassessments. The data specialist will enter data into SPARS. Evaluation advisors will review performance data quarterly to assess progress on CCBHC performance measures; NOMS follow-up rates; and progress toward objectives. Evaluation Advisors will also review and analyze other project data on a monthly basis, meet with the team to assess progress and identify challenges needing to be addressed, complete required progress reports, and assess progress on identified BH disparities
