Saturday, May 10, 2025
5/10/2025
Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care through Telehealth Evidence-Based Telehealth Network - Project Title: MedLink Georgia Behavioral Health Evidence-Based Telehealth Network Program Applicant Organization Name: MedLink Georgia, Inc. Applicant Organization Address: 11 Charlie Morris Road, Colbert, Georgia 30628-2445 Applicant Organization Website: www.medlinkga.org Requested Amount: $350,000 Applicant Organization Facility Type: Federally Qualified Health Center Project Director Name and Title: Jordan Hoffman, LCSW, Director of Behavioral Health Services Project Director Contact Information: (Phone) 706-788-3234 x 1021, (Email) jhoffman@medlinkga.org Funding Preference: (B) Services: The eligible entity proposes to use federal funds made available through this funding opportunity to develop plans for, or to establish, telehealth networks that provide mental health care, public health services, long-term care, home care, preventive care, case management services, prenatal care, labor care, birthing care, or postpartum care. MedLink Georgia is seeking funding to enhance its integrated behavioral health program within primary care through the implementation and enhancement of an evidence-based telebehavioral health model. As a recognized Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), MedLink Georgia prioritizes patient-centered care, ensuring that each patient's unique needs, values, cultures, and preferences are respected and integrated into their treatment plans. Leveraging its robust telehealth infrastructure and extensive network of collaborative partnerships, MedLink Georgia aims to address the behavioral health needs of underserved populations, particularly those affected by poverty and geographic isolation. The proposed project builds upon MedLink Georgia's existing telebehavioral health network, which saw a 32% increase in encounters in the past year, totaling 7,360 encounters. Through strategic collaboration with internal and external behavioral health professionals, as well as intensive training initiatives, MedLink Georgia seeks to optimize the utilization of its telebehavioral health network to overcome barriers to care access and improve patient outcomes. Key components of the project include the establishment of a Telebehavioral Health Network (TbHN) within the organization's service delivery framework, with designated staff responsible for project management and data collection. Additionally, a Behavioral Health Patient Coordinator role will facilitate patient navigation and resource access, ensuring seamless care coordination and addressing barriers to service utilization. MedLink Georgia's extensive network of community health centers, specialty care facilities, and pharmacies, coupled with its commitment to removing cost barriers for patients, further strengthens the project's impact and reach. Through ongoing collaboration with its Board of Directors and Management Team, MedLink Georgia will ensure effective project oversight and performance monitoring, with a focus on key performance indicators and patient satisfaction metrics. The sustainability of the program will be ensured through the integration of telebehavioral health services into MedLink Georgia's standard service delivery model. By embedding the TbHN within existing organizational structures and workflows, MedLink Georgia will continue to provide integrated behavioral health care beyond the grant period, thereby ensuring long-term access to quality care for underserved populations.
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).