Friday, April 18, 2025
4/18/2025
FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - The Erie County Health Department and Erie County Community Health Center (ECHD/ECCHC) request $1,100,000.00 in funding to expand access to behavioral health services for individuals grappling with Substance Use, Opioid Use, and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders (SUD/OUD/COD) in the high-risk rural service area of Erie, Huron, and Ottawa County. By strengthening workforce and community capacity, this project will enhance access, coordination of and continuity of care to improve health outcomes. The Community Behavioral Health Expansion project aims to increase by 20% the number of patients accessing mental health services and the number of patients accessing substance abuse services, including patients receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) by addressing the focus areas of 1) access and affordability; 2) quality/integrated services; 3) workforce development to serve the priority populations of adolescents and young adults (ages 13-17 and 18-21) and minority adults struggling with substance abuse issues. The project will address the following goals: 1. Reduce the morbidity and mortality of SUD/OUD/COD for vulnerable populations that historically suffer from poorer health outcomes (low income, unemployed adults, Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino adults, youths/adolescents, young adults) 2. Increase the Number of Service Providers to Enhance Coordination and Continuity of Care 3. Improve Health Outcomes and Wellness for Individuals Grappling with Co-Occurring Disorders Through Improved Care Coordination 4. Decrease Barriers (childcare, transportation, etc) for Individuals Seeking Services 5. Increase Community Awareness and Education to Reduce Stigma Surrounding Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders, Treatment and Recovery Services Within the tri-county service area, approximately 11% of residents live in poverty, with poverty rates exceeding 20% in the county seats of Sandusky and Norwalk, where five Health Center sites are located. This project is designed to address the intersection of poverty and mental/behavioral health issues by better connecting individuals to care. At least one additional mental health counselor, at minimum a Licensed Independent Social Worker, and one physician will be hired to rotate through ECCHC sites as needed. We will also embed Community Health Workers in key locations including the Erie County Detoxification Center, the Kaptur-Rogowski House, Becky’s House, and the Sandusky Artisans Community Recovery Center to engage with individuals, ensuring each is connected not only to the level of health care needed, but to additional community resources needed to succeed in their treatment or recovery path. The Detox will also offer withdrawal assistance from Methodone. Finally, ECHD/ECCHC and its partners will conduct community outreach and education initiatives to ensure all residents know there are programs and services available, and to address stigma surrounding mental health and substance use as an informed and educated community will help to improve health outcomes and the overall wellness of our community. Leveraging our established Circle of Care framework, this project aims to address critical gaps in behavioral health services and improve outcomes for our community.
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).