CHP Receives $285,000 Grant to Enhance Mental Health Treatment

Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Community Health Programs has received a $285,000 federal grant for expanded treatment of behavioral health disorders that can place patients at risk of substance abuse.

The grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration is part of a $396 million federal allocation. Of this, $12 million will be shared by 38 Massachusetts-based community health centers.

CHP will strengthen its integrated behavioral health strategy by adding two full-time licensed clinical social workers to its primary care practices at CHP Lee Family Practice and CHP Great Barrington Health Center.

"This award helps us to double-down on the underlying mental health issues that can lead to substance use," said Lia Spiliotes, CEO of Community Health Programs. "Now, CHP patients who might be at risk with mental health issues can more quickly connect with a mental health professional who is based right inside one of our primary care practice locations."

HRSA is a key funding agency for Community Health Programs, a federally qualified health center.

 


Tags: CHP,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Regional Reopens With Ribbon-Cutting Celebration

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz welcomes the gathering to the celebration of the hospital's reopening 10 years to the day it closed. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The joyful celebration on Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital was a far cry from the scene 10 years ago when protests and tears marked the facility's closing
 
Hospital officials, local leaders, medical staff, residents and elected officials gathered under a tent on the campus to mark the efforts over the past decade to restore NARH and cut the ribbon officially reopening the 136-year-old medical center. 
 
"This hospital under previous ownership closed its doors. It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire community about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone — access to health care," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. 
 
"Today the historic opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of Northern Berkshire community is here. And we've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. It is the key to keeping in line with our strategic plan which is to increase access and support coordinated county wide system of care." 
 
Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, under the BHS umbrella, purchased the campus and affiliated systems when Northern Berkshire Healthcare declared bankruptcy and closed on March 28, 2014. NBH had been beset by falling admissions, reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments, and investments that had gone sour leaving it more than $30 million in debt. 
 
BMC was able to reopen the ER as an emergency satellite facility and slowly restored and enhanced medical services including outpatient surgery, imaging, dialysis, pharmacy and physician services. 
 
But it would take a slight tweak in the U.S. Health and Human Services' regulations — thank to U.S. Rep. Richie Neal — to bring back inpatient beds and resurrect North Adams Regional Hospital 
 
View Full Story

More Great Barrington Stories