Rep. Sykes Announces $1.2 Million To Expand Access To Mental Health Care
AKRON, OH – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $1.2 million to My Community Health Center and Axesspointe Community Health Center to expand mental health and substance use disorder services for people in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
“Every American should be able to access quality, affordable mental health care, no matter where they live. I’m proud to announce this critical funding to our community health centers to expand mental health services to some of the most vulnerable populations in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District,” said Rep. Sykes.
“My Community Health Center is beyond thrilled to be a recipient of the grant. This incredible achievement will help further our mission of providing care to all! Most especially to the under-resourced members of our community whom we have the pleasure of serving. MCHC is proud to have been part of this process. We are now able to magnify these services at our health centers and we cannot wait to see the remarkable impact this grant will have on the health and wellbeing of our patients,” said My Community Health Center CEO Juan-Paulo Afable.
The grant recipients and award amounts are listed below:
My Community Health Center: $600,000
Axesspointe Community Health Center, Inc: $600,000
For many communities, health centers are the first point of access to any health care service, and are a primary source of care for individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in Medicaid. Behavioral Health Service Expansion (BHSE) grants allow community health centers to launch or expand their mental health and substance use programs by:
- Hiring licensed providers, community health workers, peer recovery specialists, or case managers to provide counseling and care coordination
- Contracting with a specialist to provide your staff training and technical assistance in evidence-based approaches for treatment with MOUD
- Providing group counseling for patients with post-partum depression.
- Developing a tobacco cessation program for patients receiving MOUD
- Supporting certification, training programs, continuing education, and mentorship opportunities to improve your providers’ capacity to care for patients accessing behavioral health services