FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hannah Kohl
Communications Strategist
hkohl@acendahealth.org
Office: 844-422-3632 x1021
Acenda Receives $4M from SAMHSA to Expand Community Mental Health Center Services
Acenda Integrated Health Receives Funding To Expand Inclusive, Innovative Care
GLASSBORO, NJ (September 27, 2021) -- Acenda Integrated Health (Acenda) has been awarded a 2-year, 4-million-dollar SAMHSA grant to expand upon existing Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) services in Gloucester and Cape May Counties. This funding allows Acenda to reach populations which have not only historically been more impacted by severe and longer-term mental illness and substance use disorders, but for whom COVID-19 has been significantly more damaging in terms of overall health and access to treatment. Specifically, Acenda's CMHC expansion aims to provide care for older adults living with serious mental illness, Black and Latinx communities, and persons at-risk or experiencing homelessness who have been traditionally underserved.
"Our vision for a better future not only focuses on innovative care but equal access to behavioral health services for all individuals," says Dr. Anthony DiFabio, President & CEO, Acenda Integrated Health. "Partnering with SAMHSA on this grant is an incredible opportunity for us to work towards achieving that vision."
Acenda's CMHC expansion funding will support multiple engagement activities which directly address care barriers including expanding Acenda's existing care network to be even more diverse and responsive to the needs of vulnerable communities, temporary “pop-up” assessment and treatment locations in high-need communities, peer outreach champions, partnership with Jefferson Health NJ in the utilization of a mobile treatment unit, expansion of mobile crisis programming, and community nutrition events.
"The pandemic has helped to exacerbate already existing disparities in behavioral health," said Melissa Fox, MHA, FACMPE, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Acenda Integrated Health. "The CMHC expansion funding will allow us to better reach the communities in Gloucester and Cape May who need the most support. This is an important step towards our supporting inclusive, integrated care across the state."
The CMHC expansion is one of many progressive endeavors Acenda is currently implementing statewide. Through innovative approaches and community partnerships, Acenda is able to change the delivery, prevalence, and accessibility of behavioral health care for residents of New Jersey.
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About Acenda Integrated Health
Acenda Integrated Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to industry-leading prevention, treatment and wellness services compassionately delivered to ensure that every individual, family and community achieves their greatest potential. Acenda is at the forefront of community-based services, providing over 100 health and social service programs across 60+ locations throughout a 12-county region in New Jersey. For more information visit acendahealth.org.