Behavioral Health program receives $4M grant from SAMHSA
Grant will cover four years, aims to fund treatment of citizens of all ages, including children, suffering from mental health challenges
MILWAUKEE (Oct. 10, 2023)— Centers for Independence (CFI) and its Behavioral Health program are excited to announce it was awarded a four-year Certified Community Based Health Clinic grant award valued at $4 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The grant will fund behavioral health treatment of Milwaukee County residents across the lifespan with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, as well as children/youth with serious emotional disturbance.
CFI will focus on expanding its capacity to address behavioral health disparities in school-age children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance and members of the LGBTQ community who experience serious mental illness.
“We are honored to receive support from SAMHSA to expand the essential behavioral health services that CFI provides in our community,” said Leif Elsmo, CFI president and CEO. “The SAMHSA funds will make a significant difference in the lives of many in Milwaukee County and we’re proud to partner in this important initiative.”
In early 2020, CFI’s Behavioral Health program was awarded a $4 million, two-year grant from the SAMHSA to serve adults and children with mental health and substance use disorders as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. CFI was honored to be the only organization awarded this grant in Wisconsin.
CFI successfully enrolled nearly 600 clients with about 50% of those clients referred to the agency from community partners such as the Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Community Services, and IMPACT Coordinated Entry.
Through SAMHSA grant funding, CFI also opened our Children’s Behavioral Health clinic with Children’s Wisconsin as the primary referral partner to address the growing demand. Thanks to other non-government grant funding, the children’s behavioral health clinic will continue to grow. The clinic now serves more than 60 children and families.
About Behavioral Health
Every year, almost 3,000 adults living with serious mental illness, addiction or a chronic health condition receive help through CFI Behavioral Health. We offer all the services needed—from outpatient clinical services to supportive case management and housing—to aid in treatment and recovery.
About Centers for Independence
The Centers for Independence has strengthened communities by integrating health care and social services for 85 years. CFI is committed to the Science of Hope and a trauma-informed approach to care. Visit cfihope.org for more information.