FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - westside family healthcare, INC. (WFH) is a federally qualified health center in delaware

Through the FY24 behavioral health services expansion funding opportunity, WFH is requesting $600,000 in year one and $500,000 in year two during the grant performance period of september 1, 2024 to august 31, 2026. Of the total requested, $93,900 will support one-time costs in year one of the grant performance period. WFH currently operates five clinical sites, a mobile health unit, and three administrative offices located within the cities of wilmington, newark, bear/new castle, and dover. WFH first opened its doors in 1988 and has grown to become a joint commission certified primary care medical home. WFH clinicians provide family medical, oral health, behavioral health, and support services to more than 24,000 primarily low-income and/or uninsured patients. In 2023, WFH cared for 2,220 patients seeking behavioral health services and 104 patients with SUD who received moud. Through this funding, WFH will expand our capacity to provide mental health services and SUD services. WFH will add 1.0 FTE behavioral health counselor, 2.0 FTE social service case managers, and 1.0 FTE peer support specialist. Additionally, funding will support 0.5 FTE director of behavioral health to facilitate WFH's behavioral health integration strategy, and 0.5 FTE social services program manager to oversee our social services case managers who support the social needs of our patients seeking behavioral health services. Additional investment will include organization-wide SUD stigma training resources, tools to effectively provide trauma-focused counseling techniques, and a robust patient education and awareness campaign. WFH expects to meet the following project goals for the 2024-2026 budget period: (1) increase the number of patients receiving mental health services; and (2) increase the number of patients receiving SUD services, including treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (moud). Funding through this proposal will reach these project goals through: (1) workforce recruitment, retention, development, and engagement; (2) patient experience; (3) access and affordability; and (4) integrated services.