The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration's Community Health Centers program (CFDA 93.224), awarded a $600,000 Project Grant in Year 1 and $500,000 in Year 2 to the Great Salt Plains Health Center, Inc. Division in Cherokee, Oklahoma. The funding will enable the health center to expand access to mental health, substance use disorder (SUD), and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) services for underserved communities in the six-county service area. Key services to be delivered include:
Hiring 1.0 FTE psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, 1.0 FTE mental health counselor, 1.0 FTE SUD support staff, and a mobile medical unit team to provide MOUD treatment
Expanding SUD group therapy services throughout the service area to improve long-term recovery for individuals experiencing substance use disorders
Partnering with local organizations, such as homeless shelters and food banks, to reach clients in need of mental health, SUD, and MOUD services
The project aims to address the significant lack of behavioral health providers in this rural region and improve access to comprehensive, integrated primary and preventive care for underserved and vulnerable populations.