Saturday, April 5, 2025
4/5/2025
FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - In response to HRSA-24-078, Ampla Health, the largest HRSA-funded Federally QualifiedHealth Center (FQHC) in northern California has experienced and served patients within its six(6) counties (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, Sutter, and Yuba) that with behavioral health,substance use disorder (SUD), and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) services,intends on expanding those services with the use of the 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion (BHSE) funding. With such services in demand, it has become relatively clear that our communities are needing expanded care to meet their mental and health care needs. Since the onset of pandemic COVID-19, mental health and SUD has increased dramatically, equating to the increase of MOUD. Mental health and substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life and all age groups. These illnesses are common, recurrent, and often serious, but they are treatable, and many people do recover. Mental disorders involve changes in thinking, mood, and/or behavior. These disorders can affect how we relate to others and make choices. The coexistence of both a mental health and a substance use disorder (SUD) is referred to as co-occurring disorders. Addressing the existence of coexisting disorders is imperative to foster and improve patient outcomes. Mental health and substance use disorders are significant issues that can have a profound impact on individuals and their loved ones. Seeking help and support is a crucial step towards managing these challenges. Whether you're personally dealing with these issues or supporting someone who is, there are various resources available to provide assistance, including therapy, support groups, hotlines, and treatment centers. When someone has a SUD and another mental health disorder, it is usually better to treat them at the same time rather than separately. People who need help for a SUD and other mental disorders should see a health care provider for each disorder. It can be challenging to make an accurate diagnosis because some symptoms are the same for both disorders, so the provider should use comprehensive assessment tools to reduce the chance of a missed diagnosis and provide the right treatment. Therefore, with the focus on patient-centered care and Ampla Health’s Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) guidelines,patients shall receive care and treatment that is collaborated with Ampla Health clinicians and our Collaborative partner. Expansion of behavioral health, SUD, and MOUD services will be implemented with evaluative measures that will be monitored by monthly meetings of key personnel from Ampla Health and meetings with the Collaborative partners. Milestones toward attainment of objectives include a detailed work plan, a logic model, and a detailed task/timeline. Implementation of peer support groups shall help address SUD and coexisting mental disorders, allowing anyone seeking validation, understanding, or simply looking for a safe group of people to share their story. It’s an opportunity to talk about experiences, share skills and coping methods, express emotions and build relationships with people who understand, like family. The expansion in the use of FDA approved medications for treatment, MOUD, shall also have a profound impact in the treatment of SUD, as well as extending assistance for those vulnerable to social risk factors such as food, housing, lack of insurance, limited transportation, and those that are at higher risk of mental health conditions and SUD. As an initiative, Ampla Health shall create a comprehensive approach to behavioral health and mental health services that provides assistance, treatment, and recovery and support services that addresses the whole-person.
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).