Sunday, August 12, 2012

SAMHSA Awards $4 Million for HIT

 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administrator Pamela S. Hyde announced on August 6th that more than $4 million was available in new grants for HIT services for communities across the nation.

The purpose of this program is to leverage technology to enhance and/or expand substance abuse treatment providers to serve people who traditionally have been underserved because of lack of access to treatment in their immediate community. This lack of access can be due to transportation concerns, an inadequate number of substance abuse treatment providers in communities, and/or because of financial constrains.

HIT to be used will include web-based services, smart phones, and behavioral health electronic applications (e-apps), will enable providers to communicate with patients in treatment and help physicians track and mange their patient’s health to ensure that treatment and services are available where and when needed.

The six awardees will receive up to $840,000 or the three year projects. Continuation of the awards is dependent on the availability of funds and progress achieved by the awardees. The following grants were awarded to Buffalo Valley, Inc—Hohenwald Tennessee ($840,000), Iowa Department of Public Health—Des Moines ($838,200), First Choice Services—Charleston West Virginia ($790,083), Forest County Potawatomi Community—Crandon Wisconsin ($840,000), Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center—Butler Pennsylvania ($718,547), and Promesa Behavioral Health—Fresno California ($840,000).