Neighborhood Health Center Named One of 400 CHCs to Receive Historic Grant Funding for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment

PORTLAND, Ore., January 28, 2025 – Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) was awarded $600,000 by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as part of a historic federal investment to further integrate mental health and substance use disorder treatment into primary care programs operated by community health centers (CHC) nationwide.  NHC is one of just 400 Community Health Centers (CHCs) awarded Behavioral Health Service Expansion (BHSE) grant funding to support and expand quality behavioral healthcare services.

With this funding, NHC will expand access to mental health and substance use disorder counseling services and increase NHC’s capacity to provide medication assisted treatment to patients struggling with opioid use disorders (MOUD).  This funding will also support the hiring of a new behavioral health consultant, to support patients struggling with mental health and substance use issues.

“Mental illness and substance use disorders have a profound effect on underinsured and underserved communities, which have long encountered challenges in accessing affordable, and accessible quality behavioral healthcare,” says Sara Hergic-Sehovic, NHC’s Director of Behavioral Health. “As a community health center committed to serving all individuals seeking primary care, regardless of their ability to pay, this grant will enable us to deliver vital and lifesaving integrated behavioral healthcare, contributing to a more holistic approach to health of our population.”

NHC’s behavioral health program provides care to patients at four medical clinics and two school-based health centers in Washington and Clackamas counties. Behavioral health consultants work with the patient, their primary care provider, and a clinical pharmacist to provide comprehensive, patient-centered services focused on producing the best possible outcomes for the patient.

As part of a two-year funding cycle, an additional $500,000 in funding is expected in the second year of this grant award.

 

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ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTER:

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit community health center serving a federally designated Medically Underserved Population (MUP) in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Governed by a patient-majority Board of Directors, we are committed to building healthy communities—one neighbor at a time—through patient-centered healthcare, no matter your income or current health. Discover more about how we're making quality healthcare accessible for everyone at nhcoregon.org.

 

Media Contact:

Penny L. Moore

Director of Development and Communications

Tel: (503) 941-3054

Email: moorep@nhcoregon.org