The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (SBCPHD) has received a $167,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand access to integrated behavioral health services.

The SBCPHD serves nearly 26,000 unique patients annually; 93 percent are below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line and 23 percent are uninsured. Nearly 14 percent of the SBCPHD health care center patients have been diagnosed with a behavioral health issue.

“The Public Health Department’s Health Care Centers, homeless shelter clinics, and behavioral health providers are on the front lines delivering care and offering compassion to people dealing with emotional issues,” said Deputy Director, Dr. Doug Metz.

“This funding supports our programs for individuals with mental illness and will foster improvements in treatment and recovery for people with mental illness,” he said. “Most importantly this funding will allow us to hire the skilled staff we need to employ evidence-based practices which will help us meet the demand for these services in our community.”

Currently, there are Behavioral Health Specialists (either licensed clinical social workers or psychologists) at each health care center with part-time support offered at the PATH Shelter in Santa Barbara.

In addition, there are substance abuse counselors working with people who are experiencing homelessness throughout the county either in shelters or on the streets. This funding will expand the Department’s capabilities in offering access to care.

The Public Health Department provides access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured through a county-wide network of five Health Care Centers and three homeless shelter-based clinics.

— Jackie Ruiz for Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.