H79SM088878

BCC will expand access to and engagement in evidence-based assessment, screening, and treatment to reduce health disparities and advance care - Berks Counseling Center (BCC) will expand access to and engagement in evidence-based assessment, screening, and treatment to reduce health disparities and advance care. The population of focus (POF) to be served is Berks County heterosexual, bisexual, asexual, or homosexual individuals, 5+ years, living with mental health conditions, substance use disorder (SUD), and co-occurring disorders with behavioral health needs but cannot or choose not to access treatment due to health disparities and inequities. These may include but are not limited to stigma, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as the social determinants of health (SDOH).

Berks County consists of urban, suburban, and rural communities with a population of 430,449. Approximately 22% of its population resides in the city of Reading; 32% of its residents live at or below the poverty line. Although BCC serves all of Berks County, most clients are city residents with higher concentrations of specific sub-groups of people facing economic, cultural, or linguistic barriers to health care. In Reading, most residents are Hispanic (67.7%) and African American (13.3%). Spanish is the first language in 53.3% of homes in Reading.

If funded, this grant will embed certified peer specialist and certified recovery specialist in every clinical care treatment team with a focus of hiring diverse staff with lived experience to reflect all aspects of diversity within the community served. BCC will expand efforts to address the SDOH and the impact they have on MH and SUD treatment, recovery, and overall physical health outcomes by hiring additional case managers to assure a case manager is embedded on every clinical care team. BCC will provide bus passes, taxicab fare, or transportation in company vehicles for clients identifying transportation as a need. If food insecurity or lack of medication is identified, case managers will work to resolve underlying issues and as a result, 80% of clients will show resolution of at least one barrier at follow-up SDOH screening.

BCC will continue to evaluate and address local health disparities including but not limited to stigma, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity, to improve access to patient-centered, whole person care for all members of the community. BCC staff will attend DEI cultural competency training and will take a lead in promoting non-judgmental, welcoming, and affirming safe space for care of LGBTQ, BIPOC, and any other marginalized ethnic population. As a result, BCC will reduce the level of perceived stigma, as evidenced by an increase in the number of clients identifying as LGBTQ, BIPOC, or other ethnic population clients both seeking and remaining engaged in treatment by 15% per year.

A diverse representative group of BCC staff and patient volunteers will review all policies, procedures, and marketing material and evaluate for biases on an annual basis. BCC will convert a restroom located on the main floor of the building into an "all-gender" restroom in the first year of the grant. BCC will improve client experience of care and outcomes by involving clients and family members in care and affording them an opportunity to play a broader role in the governance of the CCBHC, including increasing client and family feedback as part of CQI efforts and utilizing that feedback to address barriers and enhance services and supports by inviting up to two active or graduated clients to join the advisory work group each year of the grant. BCC will facilitate two annual focus groups consisting of a mix of clients, graduated clients, and family members to evaluate the services and programs at BCC and ways to improve them.

BCC will serve 140 clients in year one, 185 in year two, 230 in year three, 275 in year four for a total of 830 unduplicated individuals during the timespan of the grant.

Berks Counseling Center

NOT APPLICABLE

93.696 - Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants

Division of Grants Management [HHS - SAMHSA]

Reading, Pennsylvania 196013543 United States

Single Zip Code

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Improvement and Advancement Grant (SM-23-016)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 301% from $982,780 to $3,944,396.