Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care through Telehealth Evidence-Based Telehealth Network - Project Title: Behavioral Health Integration Evidence Based Telehealth Network Program Applicant Org. Name: Georgia Association for Primary Health Care, Inc. (GAPHC) Address: 315 West Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 1000, Decatur, GA 30030-2433 (DeKalb Co.) Web Site Address: www.georgiapca.org Requested Award Amount: $350,000 annually Applicant Org. Facility Type: Other publicly funded health or social service agency Project Director Name, title: Duane Kavka, Exec. Director Contact Info Phone: 404-659-2898 E-Mail: dkavka@gaphc.org Funding Preferences: GAPHC meets the criteria for funding preferences: (B) Services - it will use federal funds to establish a telehealth network that provides mental health care; (C) Coordination - the project will be carried out in partnership with Georgia Mountains Health Services (GMHS), an existing FQHC; and (E) Connectivity - the project promotes local and regional connectivity. Service Area: The target population for this project is low-income residents of Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Murray, and Whitfield counties, GA. The total population is 233,456 (ACS, Census, 2018-2022). Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, and Whitfield counties have HPSA designation for the entire county, while Lumpkin County has HPSA designation for its low income population. Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, and Murray counties are designated MUAs (full county). Originating sites will be in Fannin and Lumpkin counties and the distant site will be in Gilmer County. Needs, Objectives, and Outcomes: In the service area, 19.3% of adults report poor or fair health, a greater percentage than in GA (17.2%) or the US (15.2%) (SparkMap, UOM Extension, 2024). The death rate from suicide in the service area is 19.6, much higher than the state rate of 13.9 or the US rate of 13.8 (WONDER, CDC, 2016-2020). The project’s objectives are to: execute the development and implementation of a telebehavioral health network serving FQHC clients; improve health behaviors and outcomes among rural patients enrolled in services; and to sustain and spread telebehavioral health network services. The project’s expected outcome is to serve 300 patients annually with telebehavioral health, while also serving 300 patients with in-person care, Number of rural and underserved Originating Sites: 2 Actual Patients/Persons Served: In CY 2023, GMHS provided over 1,100 virtual visits via telehealth to approximately 300 unique rural patients (Athenahealth EMR, 2023). Projected patients: Year 1: 200 telehealth, 200 in person; Year 2: 250 telehealth, 250 in person; Year 3,4,5: 300 telehealth, 300 in person. Self-Assessment: The Data Analyst, Telehealth Coordinator and contracted Evaluator will pull required data from the Athenahealth EMR system. This system will ensure tracking, collecting, aggregating, and reporting data to fulfill reporting requirements. Outcomes - Telehealth Services: Increased numbers of patients receiving integrated behavioral health (BH) at the same location as their primary care; improved retention in BH care and adherence to the team-based treatment plan including medications; and improvements in patient outcomes (decreased depression and anxiety, increases in coping skills, and decreased use of substances, etc.). GAPHC will be equipped to spread lessons learned and successful strategies to other rural FQHCs across the state. Additional Activities: Not applicable. Sustainability: Patient reimbursement will be sought to sustain services at GMHS. Other funding streams such as additional grants will be sought to spread services to other FQHCs. Indicate if you are a recipient of a current EB-TNP award, and whether you serve/d as the applicant organization or an Originating Site: No Indicate whether you have applied for an EB-TNP award or were an Originating Site included in an EB-TNP application: No How the applicant learned about this funding opportunity: HRSA eNews. State Consultation: Yes
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).