FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - behavioral health and substance use disorders are a growing concern in healthcare

With so many suffering from behavioral health and substance use disorders and less than half of those diagnosed receiving treatment, the need for additional healthcare resources continues to grow. Per the kaiser family foundation mental health and substance use state fact sheet, the rate of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and drug overdose deaths in tennessee are higher than the national average. Additionally, behavioral health and substance use disorders contribute to almost 30% of all pregnancy related deaths in tennessee. Given these alarming statistics, there is a great need for behavioral health service integration into primary care and women's health services. University community health services, INC D/B/a CONNECTUS health (CONNECTUS) is applying for funds available through the fiscal year 2024 behavioral health service expansion for a two-year project period. If awarded, CONNECTUS is proposing to improve behavioral health and substance use disorder health outcomes, with a special focus on maternal health patients with CO-existing behavioral health or substance use disorders. The proposed model of care will include integrated behavioral health and substance use disorder services, social determinants of health screenings and support, culturally sensitive treatment plans and support, mobile healthcare services, and additional patient education and support services. CONNECTUS health's proposed model of care will utilize 3 existing community health sites and a mobile health services unit for service delivery. Between 3 fixed community health service locations and the mobile services unit, integrated behavioral health and substance use disorder services will be available 5 days per week (with intermittent weekend availability through the mobile service unit) for a minimum of 42 hours per week. Additionally, after hours phone assessment/triage services will be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The proposed model of care delivery will be provided by psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed professional counselors, primary care and women's health providers, social workers, and other support staff including social support staff. If funds are awarded, CONNECTUS proposes to serve 400 new patients with 4,000 visits by august 31, 2026. CONNECTUS health has a continuously expanding integrated behavioral health program, including behavioral health services with a special focus on maternal health patients. CONNECTUS has consistently demonstrated positive and improved primary care and behavioral health patient outcomes year over year. Additionally, CONNECTUS has received multiple health center quality recognition badges for the 2022 and 2023 performance years including gold status health center quality leader, access enhancer, health disparities reducer, and covid-19 public health champion. With a strong and thriving integrated behavioral health practice demonstrating positive health outcomes, CONNECTUS is well positioned to further integrate behavioral health and substance use disorder services and improve health outcomes.