Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
Address: 1912 Hayes Avenue, Sandusky OH, 44870 Project Director: Renee Leber, LISW-S Phone: 419-502-2800 Email: reneel@familyhs.org Website: https://www.familyhs.org/ Funds Requested for 2 Year Period: $1,100,000.00 In the United States, approximately one in five adults living in rural areas experience mental illness. Although the prevalence in rural and urban areas is comparable, people living in rural areas experience unique influencing factors when it comes to managing their mental health, leading to less access and greater stigma (National Rural Health Association, 2024). Overall, rural populations have lower median household incomes, levels of employment, and educational attainment than the general population, all of which increase the chance of developing mental health conditions. And while the needs exist, access to these services is difficult since most rural communities struggle with a shortage of mental health professionals. Data for the service area of rural north central Ohio is even worse, with nearly one in four (24%) adults reporting a depression diagnosis, increasing to nearly 30% for those with household incomes under $50,000 per year (Erie and Huron County Community Health Needs Assessments). Family Health Services of Erie County (FHS), Health Center H80CS28351, has provided essential healthcare services to the north central Ohio community since 2010. In 2022, the health center provided 12,763 patients with primary medical, dental, nutrition, physical therapy and behavioral health services delivered in four permanent and ten seasonal, school-based sites. Family Health Services’ primary service areas are Erie and Huron counties, which are designated health professional shortage areas (HPSA) for mental health. Huron County is also a designated HPSA for primary care for low-income populations. In addition to HPSA designations, both Huron and Erie counties have medically underserved population (MUP) designations from HRSA due to a shortage of primary care services for low-income individuals. FHS began integrating behavioral health services into the existing primary care model in 2017, serving 61 patients and providing 134 visits. Since that time, FHS has seen extensive growth in this space, continually increasing staffing to attempt to meet the critical needs of the community, and ensuring primary care providers are certified to prescribe medication assisted therapy (MAT) for OUD. In 2023, FHS provided behavioral health services to nearly 5,000 unique patients with over 34,000 patient visits across four clinical and ten school-based sites, however more is still needed. By August 31, 2026, the proposed project will: 1) increase the number of patients receiving mental health services; and 2) increase the number of patients receiving SUD services, including patients receiving treatment with MOUD. To achieve these goals, FHS will hire two additional mental health counselors to provide services across clinic and school sites in Erie and Huron counties. These professionals will allow FHS to increase the number of individuals being served, and will establish group therapy options for patients, which can treat a multitude of conditions and decrease wait times. Over the two-year period, these counselors will provide services to an additional 1,600 individuals with a diagnosed mental health and/or SUD condition, and work with FHS primary care providers to ensure MAT treatment is being prescribed as appropriate. To ensure barriers to accessing care are removed and social needs addressed, will hire a Community Health Worker to support patients receiving mental health services at FHS.
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).