Congressman Higgins Announces Nearly $2 Million in Funding for Community Mental Health Services

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced two federal grants totaling $1,979,097 awarded to Endeavor Health Services and the Community Health Center of Buffalo (CHCB). Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and awarded through the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics program, grants will expand access to mental health and substance use services in Western New York’s underserved communities.

“Mental health and substance use challenges impact thousands of Western New York families, especially as the community contends with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Higgins. “Funding awarded to Endeavor Health Services and the Community Health Center of Buffalo will support programs that target the most vulnerable members of our community and improve access to 24-hour crisis services. This is another investment in comprehensive, life-saving care that will create a healthier future for Western New York families as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”

Dr. LaVonne Ansari, CEO for Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. said, “Mental health services are as essential as primary and preventative health care.  As we begin to reimagine the mental health landscape in WNY, communities of color are still dealing with a heightened level of trauma. Access to expanded mental health services is crucial.  This grant could not have been more timely. We are thankful to be one of the recipients of this opportunity.”

“Endeavor Health Services is excited to be able to be able to expand services in East Buffalo,” said Endeavor Health Services COO Scott Morton. “This grant will help us launch and operate a Crisis Stabilization Center, design and implement a best-in-class Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative for the organization and its comprehensive CCBHC services, and strengthen its whole-person, integrated care by implementing a robust nurse care management program in partnership with minority-led primary care providers.”

The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) program works to transform community behavioral health systems and provide comprehensive, person-centered behavioral healthcare. Grants awarded through this program improve access to community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatments. They also support 24-hour crisis services available to anyone in need, regardless of where they live and their ability to pay. This includes anyone seeking care for mental health and substance abuse, including serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorder (SUD), as well as children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED). The program supports clinics in underserved communities facing significant health disparities.

Through this grant program Endeavor Health Services will receive $971,595 to support their Endeavor CCBHC Serving the Community program and the Community Health Center of Buffalo will receive $999,502 to support their Improving Access to Behavioral Health and Crisis Care in the Greater Buffalo Area program. Grants awarded to these organizations are two of just 156 awarded to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the country.

To qualify as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, an organization must provide 24-hour crisis mental health care, patient-centered treatment planning, outpatient primary care, mental health and substance use services, psychiatric rehabilitation, peer support, counseling, family support services, and intensive mental healthcare for veterans and military members. Endeavor Health Services and the Community Health Center of Buffalo are two of just 13 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in New York State.

Endeavor Health Services is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of accessible and effective services, driven towards improving the emotional wellness and behavioral health of Western New Yorkers. Their mission is to collaborate with clients, families, and communities to encourage wellness and recovery through an array of mental health, substance use, education, and support services. To learn more, visit https://www.ehsny.org/

Community Health Center of Buffalo is a Federally Qualified Health Center. With locations across Erie and Niagara Counties, their mission is to provide affordable, quality, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, preventive, and primary healthcare services that promote wellness and address health disparities. To learn more, visit https://chcb.net/