FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion - Project Director Name: Jolene Joseph Contact Phone Number: 513-483-3080 Contact Email Address: jolenej@healthcare-connection.org Website: www.healthcare-connection.org Health Center Program Grant Number: H80CS00200 Address: 1401 Steffen Ave City & State: Cincinnati, OH 45215 The HealthCare Connection (THCC), previously known as the Lincoln Heights Health Center, was the first Community Health Center in the state of Ohio. It opened in 1967 with six volunteers and a $10,000 grant from the City of Lincoln Heights, allowing medical care to be provided to underserved city residents. Since then, THCC has continued to grow and serve underserved populations, including minorities, in northern Hamilton County, Ohio, operating 9 sites including 4 school-based health centers to provide care to the more marginalized populations. THCC is committed to providing quality, cost-effective healthcare services to the low-income and indigent populations within the service area that are negatively impacted by SDOH factors and who would otherwise be unable to afford or access healthcare services. THCC has a long- standing history of serving the areas minority populations, with over 60% of THCC patients in 2023 identifying as a minority group and with 28% of patient best served in a language other than English. Of THCC’s 20,781 patients, 332 patients experience homelessness. In 2023, THCC provided mental health services to 2,090 patients and SUD services to 0 patients. THCC will utilize funds through HRSA to expand mental health services and expand SUD services, providing these services directly. THCC understands that different age groups have unique needs and will have a special focus on school-aged children. THCC will ensure that services are tailored to cater to specific developmental stages. Behavioral health services including SUD services will be provided at THCC’s Lincoln Heights Health Center location as well as two school-based locations- Winton Woods City School District and Lockland School District as noted in Form 5B. Specialized behavioral health and SUD services across the lifespan will include: - Ages 0-5: Early Childhood Support – behavioral and developmental milestone assessments, parenting support, play therapy - Ages 6-12: Children – individual counseling, play therapy, family therapy - Ages 13-18: Adolescent – Teen counseling, substance use counseling, crisis intervention, sexual health counseling - Ages 18 and above – Individual therapy, couples counseling, psychiatric services, sexual health counseling, substance use counseling - Ages 12 and above- Screening depression using PHQ-9, alcohol use using AUDIT, and substance use using DAST-10 THCC will leverage HRSA BHSE funds to increase access to behavioral health services through the expansion of mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services. Project activities include: - Leveraging community partnerships with organizations with a direct connection to underserved and underrepresented populations. - Integrating primary care and behavioral health at each client encounter, conducting screenings, assessments and connecting clients with supportive services and scheduling follow-up appointments. - Go beyond providing medical care and addressing the social drivers of health through community collaborations and screening for food insecurities within the school districts. - Expand the role of primary care providers in the use of FDA-approved medications for treatment of opioid use disorder through training and education and through hiring a Physician with an Addiction Specialty. - Hire behavioral health professionals to expand access. - Broaden the use of telehealth across sites to enhance access to behavioral health services. Program goals to be achieved via the project activities listed above include: - Increase the number of patients receiving mental health services. - Increase the number of patients receiving SUD services, including treatment with MOUD.
