FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - PROJECT ABSTRACT Project Title: Increasing Access to Behavioral Health Services Through the Expansion of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services Applicant Organization Name: Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc. Address: 1401 South 31st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146-3506 Project Director Name: Brian Clark Contact Phone Numbers: Voice - 215-925-2400 X1060, Fax – 215-925-9166 Email Address: bclark@gphainc.org Website Address: gphainc.org Health Center Program Grant Number – H80CS00708 Program Funds Requested: Year 1 - $600,000: Year 2 - $500,000 Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc. (GPHA) is a nonprofit health care network accredited by The Joint Commission in both Behavioral Healthcare and Ambulatory Care, as well as, recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Patient Centered Medical Home. The corporation was founded in 1970 and has provided a continuum of care to generations of families in the Philadelphia area. GPHA targets populations that are medically underserved due to low income, ethnicity, language barriers, immigration status, homelessness and age-related vulnerability. GPHA addresses health disparities prevalent among these populations and provides them with comprehensive medical, behavioral, dental, and pharmacy care services. In Philadelphia, where the prevalence of mental health conditions and substance use disorders is notably high, a substantial number of individuals residing in underserved neighborhoods and communities lack adequate access to essential mental health and substance use disorder services (SUD). The most significant barriers to accessing mental health and SUD services within our target communities in Philadelphia, as well as across the nation, are workforce shortages; the shortage of culturally competent providers and linguistically appropriate services poses a considerable challenge, particularly for diverse populations who may require care that acknowledges, respects, and incorporates their cultural and lived experiences to address their unique needs and treatment preferences. Financial constraints represent another significant barrier to accessing mental health and substance use disorder services, as many individuals lack adequate insurance coverage or face high out-of-pocket costs for treatment. Often, the co-pay for a mental health office visit is four times the cost of a primary care visit. Limited resources and funding for mental health services restrict accessing care and contribute to inequalities in care provisions. The complex nature of navigating the health care system, including challenges related to care coordination, referrals, and long wait times for appointments, presents additional hurdles for individuals seeking mental health and substance use disorder services. Furthermore, geographic barriers, including transportation challenges and uneven distribution of mental health and SUD/OUD (opioid use disorder) treatment facilities in Philadelphia, further exacerbate the issues, leaving many individuals without the necessary support to address their behavioral healthcare needs. With six federally qualified health centers strategically located throughout Philadelphia in underserved areas that provide behavioral healthcare services, GPHA is uniquely positioned to use the requested funding. The funding will be used to provide services to raise awareness, expand access to care, and extend the delivery of vital behavioral healthcare services with comprehensive, integrated interventions to individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, including patients receiving treatment with medications for opioid use disorder.
