We’re pleased to announce $4.7 million in grants to 11 organizations working to improve behavioral health care for Michigan residents.
Sixty organizations responded to our Request for Proposals, which called for projects that would improve access to high quality, person-centered, and integrated mental health and substance use disorder services for Michigan children and seniors. We reviewed dozens of compelling applications, and worked with subject matter experts to select the most promising and innovative proposals.
We’re always excited about new grant awards, but this announcement represents a significant step for the Health Fund: it’s our first proactive initiative. Click here to read more about how our grantmaking is evolving and why we’re prioritizing integrated care.
Here are the 2016 awards for the Behavioral Health initiative:
- The Safe Passages Mentoring Program, D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s | $479,404
This collaborative project aims to reduce the number of children in foster care in Kent County by reunification with their biological parents, who will be connected with Recovery Coaches supporting access to substance abuse recovery programs, job interview preparation, safe and stable housing, and transportation.
- BSFT for Healing and Strengthening Michigan Youth and Families, Easter Seals Michigan | $215,885
This project will train clinicians and also master trainers who will be available to train statewide on the nationally recognized, evidence-based practice of Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BFST). BFST uses family counseling sessions to address problems such as school truancy, delinquency, and early drug use, etc.
- Using School-Based Telemedicine to Improve Behavioral Health Outcomes in Rural Southeastern, MI, Family Medical Center of Michigan | $479,881
This proposal aims to improve access to behavioral health services within schools through a combination of on-site behavioral health specialists and tele-behavioral health services of psychology and psychiatry.
- Behavioral Health Home Replication, Network180 | $499,964
This project will provide multi-disciplinary integrated care for individuals with serious mental illness while testing a new alternative payment model. If successful, this payment model has the potential for sustainability and replication within other mental health agencies.
- Washington Elementary School Family Health Initiative, M.P.A. Group | $308,000
This two pronged proposal provides training to all school staff on the impact of trauma on student behavior and learning, and implements a multi-disciplinary trauma-informed care team. The care team will provide services in a school and in homes of students located in a community with high rates of crime and violence.
- Ruth Ellis Integrated Health & Wellness Center, Ruth Ellis Center, Inc. | $358,750
This proposal will improve access to integrated mental health, substance abuse, and primary care services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk LGBTQ youth.
- The Trauma and Stress Relief Project for Flint’s Children, Spectrum Child and Family Services | $88,875
This proposal expands the implementation of trauma focused therapy for Flint children and families who are facing disproportionate barriers to improved care, and will support training parents in the Nurturing Parent Curriculum.
- Psychiatric Services for Youth through Community Healthcare (PSYCH), The Corner Health Center | $302,796
This highly collaborative project will increase access to integrated behavioral health services for children by adding on-site psychiatric staff, and by cross-training existing clinical staff, health professions students, and medical residents in providing psychiatric care for stabilized or low-acuity patients.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Schools – TRAILS to Behavioral Health: Translating Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students, The Regents of the University of Michigan | $454,274
This proposal aims to spread knowledge of an evidence based mental health treatment (CBT) in Michigan by training a statewide network of 150 clinical coaches to diffuse the practices in school settings through training of school personnel.
- Helping Michigan’s Kids Grow: Piloting an Intensive Evidence-Based Behavioral Feeding Program, University of Michigan | $496,102
This project will address the long waiting lists (often several years) for treatment of feeding disorders through the development of a new behavioral-based intensive feeding program, requiring expertise from medical and behavioral specialties.
- Coordinated Care for the Homeless: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Volunteers of America Michigan | $198,589
This proposal aims to expand the integrated care to include behavioral health, primary care, dental, and a range of care coordination services including housing supports, benefits enrollment, and disability advocacy for homeless individuals in Lansing.
We’ll keep you posted on our grantees as their work progresses. Keep checking our blog for updates, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Interested in applying for a grant from the Health Fund? We are currently accepting applications for our Healthy Aging initiative. Proposals are due August 15th. Get more information and read our Frequently Asked Questions.