FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - santa cruz community health centers (SCCHC) seeks funding to enhance our behavioral health and substance use treatment services with a dual focus on…

FY 2024 behavioral health service expansion - santa cruz community health centers (SCCHC) seeks funding to enhance our behavioral health and substance use treatment services with a dual focus on expanding mental health care and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. This proposal addresses the growing demand for comprehensive behavioral health services within our diverse community, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay, have access to the care they need. To increase access to mental health services, we plan to expand the availability of individual and group therapy sessions, further integrate mental health screenings into primary care visits, and hire additional licensed mental health professionals to reduce wait times and enhance service capacity. Additionally, we aim to expand substance use disorder services by enhancing treatment programs for opioid use disorder, including medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), offering comprehensive care plans that include counseling, support groups, and case management, contingency management, and providing training for primary care providers to identify and manage suds effectively. Through these efforts, scch aims to significantly increase the number of patients receiving mental health and SUD services, contributing to the overall well-being of our community. This funding will allow US to break down barriers to care, provide culturally competent services, and support patients on their recovery and mental wellness journey.