Wednesday, May 21, 2025
5/21/2025
FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - Project Title: Fiscal Year 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion Applicant Name: Omni Family Health Address: 4900 California Avenue, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93309 Project Director: Francisco L. Castillon, MPA Chief Executive Officer Phone#: 661-459-1900 Fax#: 661-459-1944 E-mail: grantsdepartment@omnifamilyhealth.org Web Site: www.OmniFamilyHealth.org Summary of Request: Since 1978, Omni Family Health has been serving vulnerable and impoverished communities in the southern end of California’s San Joaquin Valley, improving access to essential healthcare services for thousands of residents who would otherwise be unable to afford care. Omni Family Health (Omni) is a Joint Commission accredited, federally qualified health center (FQHC) organization that provides comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral, and preventative health services through a network of thirty-eight federally funded medical facilities serving residents of Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties. Omni requests funding to support expanded access to behavioral health services by 1) Increasing the number of patients receiving mental health services and 2) Increasing the number of patients receiving SUD services, including treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Under this behavioral health services expansion program, Omni will expand behavioral health capacity by increasing behavioral health access through the addition of IRIS Psychiatrist Services, 1 New FTE Therapist, MAT coaching for providers, and panic button system upgrade for enhancement of access of behavioral health services for the communities we serve. Target Population and Need: There are approximately 1,940,353 residents, of which more than 45.48 % (882,472 residents) are considered low-income. Underserved populations seek behavioral health services in primary care settings. It is well-positioned to address barriers to care and provide access to a continuum of behavioral health services, including treatment and recovery support. By expanding behavioral health services access our organization will be equipped to respond to the nation’s ongoing mental health and substance use crises. Furthermore, members of socially disadvantaged groups such as ethnic/racial minorities and low-income patients have lower mental health service utilization compared with members of advantaged groups. Low-income uninsured and underinsured mental health residents are particularly vulnerable and have great difficulty in gaining access to mental health care; access problems are exacerbated by lack of financial resources, lack of health insurance, geographical barriers, and a longstanding stigma attached to mental health status. Proposed Activities and Funding Request: Omni is requesting a maximum amount of $1,100,000 over the two-year project period. Funds will allow Omni to expand access to mental health and SUD treatment and recovery services by ensuring trusted care providers have the resources and tools they need to help respond to patients’ behavioral health needs for low-income residents in the Central Valley and to have access to integrated, high-quality mental health care services delivered by behavior health care professionals experienced in the provision of MH/SUD services for mental health patients. Omni’s Primary Care Medical Home is a care delivery model in which patient diagnoses, and treatment are delivered through a coordinated healthcare team, which ensures that patients receive the necessary care when and where they need it and in a manner that they can understand. The healthcare team will utilize registries, information technologies, health information exchanges, and other means to ensure that low-income and underserved patients of Central Valley receive comprehensive, coordinated, and convenient behavioral healthcare services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
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).