FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - Applicant Entity Name: West Cecil Health Center, Inc. Address: 49 Rock Springs Rd, Conowingo, MD 21918-1352 Project Director Name: John Ness, MBA Phone: 443-731-2971, Fax: 410-378-0787 Email Address: jness@westcecilhealth.org Website Address: www.westcecilhealth.org Service Area ID: 237, Conowingo, Maryland Background West Cecil Health Center, Inc. (WCHC), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Cecil County, Maryland, is applying for HRSA-24-078 funding in the amount of $1,100,000 over a two year project period to support increasing access to behavioral health and SUD services. Serving patients since January 2008, WCHC currently operates two permanent facilities, a 22,000 +/- square foot facility in Conowingo, MD, and a 4,500 +/- square foot facility in Havre de Grace, Harford County, MD dba Beacon Health Center. In 2023, WCHC saw 6,842 unique patients and provided 33,452 visits. In 2024 WCHC added mobile services through the implementation of its mobile medical van. Need Conowingo, MD, is a medically underserved area (MUA) with Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scores of 20 for primary care, 24 for dentistry, and 18 for mental health. Conowingo, MD, and the surrounding communities are rural, with limited availability to healthcare services and no regular public transportation service. Within WCHC’s service area, there is a high unmet need for behavioral health and SUD services due to an overall paucity of available providers, that is further restricted by providers that are not accepting certain commercial health plans, Medicare or Medicaid. Populations Served WCHC serves the residents of Conowingo, MD, Havre de Grace, MD and the surrounding communities in Cecil and Harford Counties. Within the service area, WCHC makes targeted efforts to reach vulnerable, underserved, and marginalized populations, including low-income, elderly, minorities, LGBTQ, underinsured and uninsured, and those experiencing homelessness or substance use disorder. Response WCHC delivers high-quality, comprehensive, culturally competent primary health care services via mobile services, and at its two modern facilities that offer extended hours and Saturday appointments. A sliding fee discount is available to ensure that all patients can access the healthcare services they need regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. With the funding offered by this opportunity WCHC will increase the availability of behavioral health and SUD services to the communities we serve by recruiting additional therapists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and support staff. This will allow WCHC to increase the availability of appointments for in-person on-site, telehealth and mobile behavioral health or SUD services. WCHC will leverage its strong relationships with community organizations such as public schools, community colleges, faith based and community centers, local health departments and hospitals to further enhance the level of access. The additional funding in year one will be used to cover minor renovations and alterations to existing space to make it suitable for the delivery of behavioral health services. WCHC employs a diverse team of physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, hygienists, and licensed clinical social workers bolstered by an experienced team of administrators and support staff. Nurse case managers and patient service representatives work closely with patients to ensure they receive the care they need at WCHC, local hospitals, specialists, or other community resources.
