47 community health centers receive $13.2M for HIT

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced up to $13.2 million in new grants to support the expansion of health information technology in healthcare settings that serve people with mental and substance use disorders.

As part of this new initiative, 47 community health centers working to integrate primary care and behavioral health services will receive a one-year grant for $200,000. The grant will be used to develop health information technology infrastructure and expand the use of electronic health records. Once the EHR systems are in place, patients and providers can have ready access to the latest information on effective treatments and support systems, and exchange health information through secure means with appropriate patient permission.

[Also: Community health centers will benefit from HHS training funds]

“Making meaningful use of EHRs represents the foundation for better health, improved care and lower costs,” said National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Mostashari, MD. “EHRs offer providers the tools necessary to give patients, including those with mental health and substance use problems, the right care at the right time while protecting patient privacy and security.”

SAMHSA also announced a $3.8 million grant award to assist community health centers and state designated agencies with their efforts to implement electronic health records. The grant award is being made to the National Council on Community Behavioral Health Care to enhance SAMHSA efforts underway to integrate primary and behavioral healthcare in community based settings.

“Electronic health records improve quality, accountability and cost effectiveness of healthcare services,” said SAMHSA Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde. “Persons with behavioral health problems often have significant physical health issues as well. These grants are a critical down payment on the health information technology investment needed to ensure behavioral health service providers are fully interoperable with the general health system.”’

[Also: HHS announce $235M for community Health IT grants]

These efforts support SAMHSA’s strategic initiative on Health Information Technology. The actual awards are subject to the availability of funds and the grantees’ performance. The grantees and their award amounts are as follows:

Click on the next page for grantees award amounts.

• Community HealthLink, Mass. $199,999
• Tarzana Treatment Center, Calif. $200,000
• Prestera Ctr. for Mental Health Services, WV $200,000
• Shawnee Mental Health Center, Inc., Ohio $200,000
• Human Service Center, Ill. $200,000
• Oklahoma. Dept. of Mental Health/Subs Abuse $200,000
• Coastal Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. Fla. $200,000
• Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Wash. $200,000
• Southeast Center, Inc., OH $200,000
• Centerstone of Indiana, Ind. $200,000
• Lifestream Behavioral Center, Inc., Fla $200,000
• Lifestream Behavioral Center, Inc., Fla $200,000
• Native American Rehabilitation Assn., Ore. $199,997
• Bridges, A Community Support System, Inc., Conn $200,000
• CODAC Behavioral Health Services, Inc., Ariz. $200,000
• Providence Center, Inc., R.I. $200,000
• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, N.J. $199,099
• Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, N.Y. $200,000
• Bronx-Lebanon Hops. Ctr., N.Y. $200,000
• Care Plus NJ, Inc., N.J. $200,000
• Washtenaw Community Health Org., Mich. $199,987
• Glenn County Health Services Agency, Calif. $200,000
• Community Health and Counseling, Maine $200,000
• Apalachee Center, Inc., Fla. $200,000
• Downtown Emergency Service Ctr., Wash. $200,000
• Miami Behavioral Health Ctr., Fla. $200,000
• Weber Human Services, Utah $200,000
• Community Rehabilitation Ctr., Fla. $200,000
• Southlake Community Hlth Ctr., Ind $200,000
• Milestone Centers, Inc., Pa. $200,000
• Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc, Conn. $200,000
• ICD-International Ctr. For the Disabled, N.Y. $200,000
• Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Ser., Ohio $199,360
• Kent Ctr. For Human and Org. Develop, R.I. $199,266
• Family Services, Inc., Md. $200,000
• Heritage Behavioral Health Ctr., Ill. $200,000
• Asian Community Mental Health Services, Calif. $200,000
• Adult and Child Mental Health Ctr., Ind. $199,966
• Montrose Counseling Ctr., Inc. Texas $200,000
• Horizon House, Inc., Pa. $199,293
• San Mateo County Health System, Calif. $196,684
• Pennyroyal Regional MH-MR Board, Ky. $200,000
• Trilogy, Inc., Ill $200,000
• Alaska Island Community Services, Ala. $199,997
• Mental Health Center of Denver, Colo. $199,619
• North Care Center, Okla. $200,000
• Community Council of Nashua, N.H. $200,000
• Center for Families and Children, Inc., Ohio $200,000