FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - Health Center Program Grant #: H80CS00167 Mosaic Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the Finger Lakes and Mohawk Valley regions of New York, in partnership with His Branches, a community health center operating in Monroe County, is proposing a comprehensive project to expand access to behavioral health services. This initiative aims to address critical mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) needs in our communities, focusing on the most vulnerable, underserved, and uninsured populations. The proposed project will expand our integrated behavioral health program, which has been steadily growing since 2015 under the leadership of Chief Behavioral Health Officer Hannah Monk, PsyD. The program provides medical patients with trauma-informed and equity-focused psychotherapy services. With this funding, we aim to further increase access to mental health and SUD services, including Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), across the Finger Lakes and Mohawk Valley regions. Needs Addressed: 1. Mental Health Services: There is a significant unmet need for mental health services in our service areas. Many individuals, especially those from vulnerable populations, do not receive the mental health care they need due to barriers such as lack of insurance, transportation, and awareness. 2. Substance Use Disorder Services: The opioid crisis has severely impacted many Upstate NY communities. There is an urgent need to expand access to SUD services, including MOUD, to help individuals struggling with addiction. 3. Social Determinants of Health: Social risk factors such as food insecurity, unstable housing, financial strain, and limited access to transportation further exacerbate health disparities. Proposed Services: 1. Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services: We will create a comprehensive approach to behavioral health that integrates mental health and SUD treatment, helping more patients access the care they need. This includes offering new SUD/MOUD services and expanding our mental health counseling services. 2. Primary Care Provider Involvement: We will increase the role of our primary care providers in using FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, such as buprenorphine, to treat more patients effectively. 3. Addressing Social Risk Factors through Enabling Services: Our project will address social risk factors that hinder access to care. This includes collaborating with local organizations to provide support for food insecurity, housing instability, financial challenges, and more. 4. Collaboration with Local Behavioral Health Providers: We will collaborate with existing treatment, recovery, and support services in our areas, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to provide a network of comprehensive care. Populations to be Served: - Underserved and uninsured individuals in the Finger Lakes and Mohawk Valley regions. - Patients with mental health needs requiring psychotherapy services. - Individuals with SUD, particularly those affected by the opioid crisis. - Vulnerable populations experiencing social risk factors like food insecurity and unstable housing. Impact: 1. Increase the Number of Patients Receiving Mental Health Services: By expanding our integrated behavioral health program, we will provide more patients with access to mental health counseling and psychotherapy services, addressing a critical gap in care. 2. Increase the Number of Patients Receiving SUD Services:We will significantly enhance our capacity to treat SUD by offering new MOUD services and increasing the involvement of primary care providers in SUD treatment. This will enable us to serve more patients struggling with addiction. By addressing these needs and expanding our services, Mosaic Health and His Branches aim to improve the overall health and well-being of our communities.
