Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) today announced the availability of $3 million in grant funding to provide integrated, centralized healthcare that addresses both behavioral health and primary health needs. Funding for these grants is provided from the Publicis Health Opioid Settlement, which was the result of a multistate investigation of opioid manufacturers and distributors spearheaded by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro that led to settlement agreements worth billions of dollars.
“The Shapiro Administration understands there is a need in Pennsylvania to improve access to whole-person health by increasing capacity for primary care settings to identify and connect people to integrated behavioral and physical health care,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “This is a prime example of how we’re working to meet people where they are in terms of streamlining physical health and behavioral health services – eliminating the need to go to different providers for substance use disorder (SUD) care and primary care.”
The purpose of this initiative is three-fold, including:
- To promote the integration and collaboration in clinical practice between behavioral health care and primary physical health needs;
- To support the improvement of integrated care to improve overall wellness; and
- To promote the implementation and improvements of integrated care services, including evidence-based or evidence-informed screening, assessment, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and recovery services for SUD, opioid use disorder (OUD), and co-occurring physical health conditions and chronic diseases through integrated care.
Qualifying organizations include primary physical health care providers, hospitals, rural health centers, and federally qualified health clinics looking to integrate behavioral health care and primary health care at their practice. These organizations are to have experience and expertise in addressing SUD and OUD, or work with community-based providers that have this experience and expertise prior to applying for this funding.
Integrated care activities include assessments, screenings, referrals to care, and follow-ups, evidence-supported prevention and intervention, ongoing care coordination and case management, person-centered self-management support, team-based care, and connections with community and social services. Successful applicants will be required to use an evidence-based integrated care model in their practice. For example, the Primary Care Behavioral Health Model or Collaborative Care Model includes a case manager, behavioral health professionals, and a consulting doctor with a specialty in addiction as a primary care team.
All applications must be submitted electronically by 12:00 PM on Friday, January 24, 2025. Applications will be competitively reviewed and scored based upon the applicant’s adherence to the funding announcement guidelines, and a timely submission to DDAP.
Questions regarding the grants and the application process should be forwarded to RA-DAGrantsMgmt@pa.gov.
Prioritizing Behavioral Health
The goals of this grant opportunity align with Governor Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order establishing the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council, which is bringing together state leaders, local governments, and community providers to develop and recommend to the Governor the implementation of a statewide action plan that addresses how to deliver timely and quality mental health and addiction treatment services.
Commitment to Strengthening SUD Care
This opportunity is part of the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to strengthen the SUD treatment system and empower sustained recovery throughout Pennsylvania by investing more than $100 million in SUD-related supports and services since Governor Shapiro has taken office.
Since day one, the Shapiro Administration has prioritized a focus on and investments in sustained recovery and expanding access to equitable prevention and treatment services by:
- Awarding more than $40 million to retain professionals working in Pennsylvania’s drug and alcohol field through DDAP’s student loan repayment program;
- Awarding nearly $20 million to expand drop-in center services for individuals with SUD across Pennsylvania;
- Awarding more than $6 million in grant funding for 19 organizations to establish or expand SUD services, community outreach and education to underrepresented communities of color;
- Awarding $4 million in grant funding for the establishment of regional recovery hubs to enhance resources for individuals in recovery and promote recovery within communities across Pennsylvania;
- Offering nearly $7 million in grant funding to administer the operations of DDAP’s current Get Help Now hotline for a five-year period;
- Offering $2.5 million in grant funding for community-based organizations and public health programs to assist individuals in accessing DDAP-licensed recovery houses;
- Offering $2 million in funding to implement community-based prevention services throughout Pennsylvania to prevent opioid use disorder (OUD); and
- Offering $1.5 million in funding to implement community-based harm reduction services throughout Pennsylvania to help prevent overdoses.
Learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts in combating overdoses at ddap.pa.gov.
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