Saturday, December 21, 2024
12/21/2024
Mariposa Community Health Center (MCHC) is the only health center in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, serving over half of county residents (>26,000). Santa Cruz County is a rural county located along the U.S. border with Mexico. The population is predominately Hispanic/Latino (83%) and 78% of households speak Spanish. Approximately 20% of the population lives in poverty, and 14% has no health care coverage. Santa Cruz County is a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). The area has a Mental Health HPSA score of 23 out of 26, where 26 indicates the greatest priority for clinician assignments. While there are limited mental health and behavioral health services for the AHCCCS (Medicaid) population, there are even greater gaps in behavioral health services for private pay or for the uninsured; Mariposa is the only provider to serve this population. From 2017 to date, among 173 accidental deaths in Santa Cruz County, 59 were drug related- the highest category for accidental deaths- more than motor vehicle crashes, falls, or drownings. From 2018 to 2020, the county saw an increase in fatal overdose cases involving Fentanyl, from two to eleven cases. Among these cases, 68% involved a combination of Fentanyl with other drugs. Santa Cruz County has no detox facilities, in-patient treatment centers, or dedicated housing for people with SUD. Behavioral health providers must coordinate care and transportation to get an individual to treatment or detox, as well as coordinate transportation and safe housing upon discharge from treatment centers outside of the county, as well as release from jail. There are no shelters for people experiencing homelessness who need treatment or recovery support, and there are no shelters dedicated to victims of domestic violence. To address the needs of the community, Mariposa is applying to the HRSA FY25 Behavioral Health Services Expansion opportunity to increase the number of patients receiving mental health services, and to increase the number of patients receiving SUD services, including patients receiving Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). Specifically, Mariposa aims to expand its individual and group mental health services by contracting new therapy and psychiatry providers, hiring a behavioral health technician, and expanding its referral system through a network of community collaborators for MOUD services. Mariposa will provide new individual and group Peer Support services for patients experiencing SUD and MOUD. Mariposa leadership will work with primary care providers in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Integrated Services, and Maternal and Child Health Home Visitation departments to assess mental health and SUD screening and referral processes. Mariposa will support a Behavioral Health Technician to conduct intake with referred patients and facilitate treatment with a Licensed Therapist and behavioral health medical provider. Protocols for assessment and referral to both internal and external SUD treatment services will be reviewed, and staff will be trained on best practices. Mariposa providers will work with care coordinators, case managers, and its Department of Community Health Services to connect patients to support services at Mariposa, including for domestic violence and sexual assault, housing support, and other health-related social needs. Through the Santa Cruz County Overcoming Addiction Consortium and the Local Coalition to End Homeless, Mariposa will increase outreach and referrals for community members who are uninsured and underinsured to its mental health and SUD services. A Certified Peer Support Specialist will be hired and trained to assist with outreach and provide one on one support to individuals and families experiencing SUD, including OUD. Finally, in the first year, Mariposa will perform upgrades to its building and equipment that will lead to improved patient experience and c omfort.
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).