FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - Abstract Health Center Program Grant Number: H80CS00450 Bluestone Health Association, Inc (BHA), founded in 1979 and designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center in 1994, is in the process of expanding its behavioral health and substance use disorder services to its patient base. Located in Mercer County, WV, BHA serves a vast area spanning over 937 square miles, encompassing parts of four additional WV counties and Tazewell County, VA. Situated amidst the Appalachian Mountains, the region features the ridge and valley landscapes of southeastern WV and southwestern VA. BHA's health centers are strategically placed in Mercer County's major population centers of Bluefield and Princeton, with an additional rural location in Montcalm, WV, contributing to the Bluefield, WV-VA micropolitan area. Bluestone Health Association is requesting $600,000 from the HRSA Bureau of Primary Care to expand and enhance access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in combination with integrated primary and behavioral health care, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and peer recovery support services. Project services will be delivered in Mercer County, WV. The populations of focus for the project are individuals with mental health and SUD, including rural, uninsured, low-income and elderly populations, who are underserved and facing significant barriers to care. BHA will directly provide MOUD, behavioral therapies, recovery support services, and other clinically appropriate services to increase access to behavioral health services for 300 new mental health patients, 300 new SUD patients, and 75 new MOUD patients by December 31, 2025. BHA will address gaps in currently available behavioral health services by hiring new staff; expanding and enhancing SUD and mental health programming; adding evening service hours to see more patients; and formalizing referral relationships with local partners. BHA will hire an additional Behavioral Health Therapist (LPC) to conduct behavioral health intakes, screenings, assessments, and counseling; a Care Coordinator (LPN) to provide health education and oversee care coordination for patients; and a Community Health Worker and Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS) to help patients identify and address their barriers to care. BHA providers will manage SUD and mental health patients in-house through a combination of medication and counseling with complementary patient navigation and peer support. BHA will develop comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessments during intake of new SUD, MOUD and mental health clients, and develop individualized, strengths-based treatment plans with each participant.
