NORTH COVENTRY — Community Health & Dental Care has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The grant will allow the North Coventry-based Community Health & Dental Care to expand its mental health and substance use disorder service throughout its service area, which includes southeastern Berks, western Montgomery, and northern Chester counties.
On Sept. 19, the Health Resources and Services Administration announced it was awarding $240 million to 400 community health centers across the country. The grants are aimed at helping increase access to behavioral health services and integrating mental health and substance use disorder treatment into primary care for more than 10 million patients across the country, according to a press release.
In Pennsylvania, a total of nearly $7.7 million was awarded to 13 organizations. The awards in Pennsylvania ranged from $513,625 to $600,000, according to information on the HRSA website.
“Mental health and substance use disorder treatment are essential elements of primary care, and there should be no wrong door for families to get the behavioral health care they need,” Carole Johnson, HRSA administrator, said in the release.
Bridgette McGivern, CEO of Community Health & Dental Care, recognizes the need for additional behavioral support services to address growing mental health needs and substance use of opioids in the tri-county region, according to the release.
“More and more children and adults are suffering each day with anxiety, depression, opioid abuse, and I am so happy to receive this award to increase access to behavioral health services throughout our five CHDC locations,” McGivern said in a statement. “This includes virtual visits, making it easier for our patients to access these services as this grant will allow CHDC to hire more staff to meet these growing demands.”
Community Health & Dental Care will need to hire people and build its workflows, with anticipated implementation in early 2025, a spokeswoman said in an emailed response to questions.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Community Health & Dental Care offers access to quality, affordable healthcare services to all individuals regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
Integrated behavioral health is available to all established Community Health & Dental Care’s medical patients. Integrated behavioral health is a holistic approach to behavioral health to include mind and body, the release said.
The organization’s licensed Behavioral Health team, working with a Community Health & Dental Care medical provider, provides short-term, brief, solution-focused sessions, goal setting and guidance, and referrals to outpatient treatment. Patients are also screened for depression and anxiety at all patient visits to help provide the resources and tools to fight mental illness.
In 2016, the Department of Human Services designated Community Health & Dental Care as a PA Center of Excellence — which help individuals recover from addiction and provide support to move forward. Community Health & Dental Care’s services can be utilized by anyone with a current or previous diagnosis of opioid use disorder, according to the release.
Community Health & Dental Care uses both internal and external resources and referrals to provide the best addiction treatment services. Those services may include medication-assisted treatment, medical services, and referrals to behavioral health counseling. Externally, it partners with organizations such as 12-Step Meetings and Sober Living Opportunities.
Community Health & Dental Care provides medical, dental, OBGYN, vision, podiatry, physical therapy, medication-assisted treatment, integrated behavioral health, care and case management, and free transportation to and from all of its health center locations including North Coventry Township, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Washington Township, and its newest medical office in Boyertown.
