FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - background: since 1971, fair haven community health clinic, INC. (FHCHC) has provided comprehensive primary care services to communities throughout…

FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - background: since 1971, fair haven community health clinic, INC. (FHCHC) has provided comprehensive primary care services to communities throughout greater new haven CT. The joint commission (TJC) has accredited FHCHC since 1999. FHCHC is dually recognized as a patient centered medical home by TJC and the national committee for quality assurance (NCQA). In 2023, FHCHC provided care to 34,391 patients through 138,108 patient visits. The health center serves a population of 91% racial and/or ethnic minority; 61% self-report as latino, and 24% as african american. Ninety-four percent of patients live at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Thirty percent of FHCHC patients over the age of 18 are uninsured. Forty-two percent of patients prefer to receive care in a language other than english, predominantly SPANISH. With a $45 million operating budget and a staff of nearly 300 employees across its 20 sites, FHCHC provides integrated, patient-centered care to those who need IT most. Needs to be addressed: mental illness and unhealthy substance use affect individuals at all socioeconomic levels but disproportionately affect people with low incomes. In connecticut, more than one in four adults has a mental health condition, with 32% not receiving treatment, primarily due to cost and stigma. Illicit opioids and stimulants are the leading cause of drug overdose in the state, with black and hispanic populations having the highest mortality. Target population: the project will serve individuals residing in the FHCHC service area of new haven, east haven, and branford, CT. New haven residents have a disproportionate need for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services, accounting for 7.1% of mental health services delivered by the connecticut department of mental health & addiction services, 5.0% of SUD services, and 8.7% of those receiving both, while the population of new haven comprises only 3.8% of the state's population. In CY 22, there were 32 deaths due to opioid overdose in the fair haven section of new haven, the main area served by FHCHC. Proposed services: FHCHC will use bhse funding ($600,000 in year 1; $500,000 in year 2) to increase the number of patients receiving mental health services and those receiving SUD services, including treatment with medications for opioid use disorder. Currently, FHCHC employs 24 bilingual (SPANISH) BH clinicians including 3 psychologists, .6 FTE adult psychiatrist and 1 medication prescribing aprn. In CY 23, 2,323 patients received MH services in 18,702 visits. Currently there are hundreds of patients on a waiting list for BH services. With this funding, we will expand services to include "walk-in" services for anyone with urgent needs and will expand the hours when BH services are provided. Walk-in services will be provided by licensed BH and SUD workers monday through friday and will include evening hours monday through friday and a partial day of walk-in services on saturday. The FHCHC project team will include a 0.4 FTE psychiatrist, a 0.50 FTE aprn, two 1.0 FTE mental health therapists, a 1.0 FTE addiction therapist, a 1.0 FTE case manager, and a 1.0 FTE peer support specialist. In-kind support of 1.0 FTE billing clerk and 1.0 FTE front desk clerk will facilitate patient flow and receipt of revenue for billable services. Moud services will be provided by aprn and psychiatrist, along with 11 medical staff already trained in delivery of this service. FHCHC will integrate program staff into its existing bicultural and bilingual, gender-affirming model of care serving children, youth, and adults. The expanded focus on mental health and SUD treatment will dovetail with a FHCHC harm reduction center scheduled to open in the fall of 2024 at a site adjacent to its main clinic at 374 grand AVE new haven.