FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - Project Title: Grand Peaks Behavioral Health Service Expansion (HRSA-24-078) Applicant Organization Name: Upper Valley Community Health Services, Inc. Health Center Program Grant Number: H80CS08756 Address: 335 E Main St, Saint Anthony, ID 83445-1521 Project Director: Lori Sessions Contact Phone Numbers: 208-624-4100 E-Mail Address: lori@grandpeaks.org Website: grandpeaks.org Upper Valley Community Health Services, Inc. dba Grand Peaks, is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with a 17-year history of serving the primary medical, preventive and family dental, behavioral health and pharmacy needs of Eastern Idaho residents. HRSA’s 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion funding opportunity will enable Grand Peaks (GP) to greatly expand the number of patients receiving services for mental health needs and substance use disorders, as well as increase the scope of services provided. Grand Peaks has four permanent service sites providing medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services. Sites are located in Rexburg, Idaho Falls, and St. Anthony, Idaho. GP also has thirteen active school-based sites serving students with behavioral health services in the Fremont, Sugar Salem, and Madison School Districts. The organization serves residents of Fremont, Teton, Madison, Bonneville, and Jefferson counties, providing healthcare to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals and their families. In 2023, GP served 11,178 unique patients (2023 UDS report). GP’s service area includes 14 Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs): with a total population of 194,644 residents (GeoCareNav), including GP’s target population of 71,357 low-income residents (at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Level), representing 36.6% of the total population. Grand Peaks’ staff and partners have seen a significant increase in the needs for mental health services in recent years. The area is a federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. Idaho has the 12th highest suicide rate in the nation (2022, Idaho DHW), 45% above the national average in 2021 (KFF.org). These rates are especially concerning for youth, with 16.4% reporting at least one depressive episode. GP has responded by adding behavioral health services to schools to improve access, and each clinic includes integrated behavioral health providers available, but more can be done. Through this grant, GP would add two counselors (2.0 FTE) to support 6 additional schools in the services area. GP would add more FTE’s as the need grows. Funding would also support the addition of a LCPC who has extensive background in substance use, a Psychiatric Physician Assistant and or Nurse Practitioner to add medication management and substance use disorder services to any GP patient. Substance use disorders, including opioid abuse, present a critical challenge nationwide. The addition of a Psych PA or NP would enable dedicated visits for patients whose needs go beyond current capabilities. This will include new Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) services not offered by GP today. As the health center with the dominant market share in 11 of the 14 ZCTAs, GP is largest source of care for the area’s low-income populations and migrant/agricultural worker population. This funding will greatly increase GP’s ability to support the unique needs of our community and provide behavioral health services regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. GP requests $600,000 in year 1 and $500,000 in year 2. GP will add the staff and programs needed to serve more residents and improve the community’s mental well-being.
