BRPC Awarded Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Grant Program Grant
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $4.5 million in annual funding for 23 organizations through the new Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention Grant Program.
Managed by the Office of Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention (OBHPP), this multi-year initiative supports community-based organizations that are developing, expanding and sustaining programs that strengthen mental health and well-being across Massachusetts.
In Berkshire County, Ther Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) were awarded a grant to create or pilot a new program.
The selected organizations represent communities across the state and will focus on improving behavioral health outcomes for historically underserved populations through locally driven prevention, early intervention and wellness initiatives.
"Strong mental well-being is essential to healthy families and communities," said Governor Maura Healey. "We want people to be able to get help before they reach a crisis point, and these grants will help trusted local organizations expand programs that strengthen well-being, reduce isolation and support healthier communities across Massachusetts."
Grant funding is structured across three tiers, ranging from $100,000 to $350,000 annually, allowing organizations to develop, implement and evaluate new behavioral health programs, or expand existing ones, that align with OBHPP’s mission and vision
Applicants for these grants submitted proposals focused on one or more of these identified priority areas:
- Reducing loneliness and social isolation.
- Reducing family stress and supporting caregiver well-being.
- Promoting infant, early childhood, and maternal mental health.
- Reducing psychological distress in immigrant populations.
- Promoting early intervention with youth and young adults.
- Reducing family and intimate partner violence.
- Promoting population well-being through education, training, and skills development.
The multi-year grant funding framework ensures recipients have the means, and the time, to develop and implement their programming. Funded projects operate within one of three categories:
- organizations creating or piloting new programs;
- organizations ready to launch or expand programs; and
- established programs with proven results that need support to grow or sustain their impact.
