Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Through SAMHSA’s Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) grant program, Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (CMHA), will enhance and restore clinical services impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in order to effectively address the needs of adults and youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), Serious Mental Illness (SMI), and Co-Occurring Disorder (COD) in central and northwest Connecticut. CMHC service population includes individuals and families in CMHA’s greater New Britain, Waterbury, and Torrington service area, which includes the localities of: Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Kensington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, Terryville, Torrington, Waterbury, and Winsted. US Census data shows a target population of 383,483: 299,620 ages 18+, 62,404 ages 5-17. CMHA has more than 45 years’ experience providing innovative, patient-centered and culturally-relevant behavioral health treatment to central and northwest Connecticut. In Fiscal Year 2020, CMHA served 4,225 consumers— 3,527 adults over age 18 and 698 children younger than 18; 43% are from New Britain; 46% are Caucasian, 33% are Latina/o (a majority are Puerto Rican), 13% are African-American, and 5% are other/unknown. 91% fall at/below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, with 72% on Medicaid and 28% on Medicare. Approximately 10% and .6% speak Spanish and Polish, respectively, as their primary language. Agency and community data indicates a need for additional trauma-informed telehealth and in person treatment to support individuals experiencing mental health issues compounded by the pandemic. Targeted outreach is needed to engage new and existing clients who may be hesitant to return for services even as pandemic restrictions lift. Community partners including school districts and police departments have also reached out to CMHA for education and assistance to support individuals in crisis. The CMHC has the following goals: 1) To reengage and retain target population in clinical, case management, and wraparound recovery support services through enhanced telehealth infrastructure; 2) To reduce behavioral health and substance abuse symptoms exacerbated by the pandemic and improve functioning among adults with SMI and COD by restoring in person outpatient and psychosocial rehab services; 3) To reduce behavioral health and trauma symptoms and improve functioning among school-aged children and adolescents at risk for SED through direct services and support for schools and parents; 4) to reduce symptoms of trauma exacerbated by the pandemic and improve functioning amongst CMHC clients by expanding evidence-based assessment and treatment models; 5) To develop and provide additional resources and infrastructure to address mental health needs amongst CMHC staff; 6) To reduce incidences of death by drug overdose, suicide, and self-harm among target group children, adolescents and adults by improving responsiveness of local law enforcement; 7) To meet CMHC goals by creating project management structure. The CMHC will serve a total of 600 unduplicated consumers (Year 1= 300; Year 2= 300).
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).
