Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Summary: Agape Network, Inc. serves a highly-disadvantaged and uninsured population in South Miami-Dade County, FL, and surrounding area, which identifies the greatest percentage of people with serious mental illness in the nation. COVID-19 has created a significant mental and primary health care crisis for Agape Network. Due to the increased demand for SED, SMI, and COD services, Agape Network's service capacity was impacted, resulting in reduced access to care for hundreds of people who remain on waiting lists. Demographics/Characteristics: The Agape Network CMHC Grant Program will provide additional mental and behavioral healthcare to a total of 400 low-income and primarily uninsured and undocumented individuals and families annually from the Greater South Miami-Dade County, Florida, area. A total of 800 clients will be served during the course of CMHC funding. Due to the pandemic, many residents were significantly impacted by loss of employment and insurance. The effects of confinement and other health issues, exacerbated by existing SED, SMI, and/or COD, created a greater mental health crisis including depression, substance abuse, PTSD, and suicide. A 26% increase in uninsured clients referred for services strained Agape Network’s ability to provide immediate care, resulting in over 350 clients awaiting mental health and substance abuse services. Goals and Objectives: The goal of the program is to support and restore delivery of clinical services that were impacted by COVID-19, and address the needs of individuals with SED, SMI, and COD. To achieve this, Agape will address the following objectives: 1) Improve telehealth capacity by 10%; 2) Increase outpatient access to mental health and co-occurring disorder services by 25%; 3) An additional 15% of clients will access mental/behavioral health and substance use services; 4) An estimated 400 new clients will receive services annually; and 5) 100% of Agape staff will have access to mental health wellness support services. Strategies/Interventions: CMHC funding will allow Agape Network to increase its staffing, services, and provide facility adjustments to allow for the increase in clients referred for mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse services. This will include expanding telehealth and teleconferencing and group therapy with teens and adults; expanding outpatient services for people with SED, SMI, and COD; providing wrap-around therapeutic services to consumers without health insurance due to COVID-19; increasing intake assessments, case management and peer specialist services; and ensuring that Agape staff will be provided with monthly supervision to address burnout prevention, self-care strategies, and clinical recommendations for clients.
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).
