The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) recently announced awards of $33.2 million in grants to community organizations providing services to 45 of California’s 58 counties through the California Veterans Health Initiative - Mental Health Support Grant Program.
The California Veterans Health Initiative - Mental Health Support Grant Program (CVHI-MHSGP) enables community-based organizations to expand access to outpatient mental health treatment options for California’s veterans and their families.
“Focusing on veterans’ mental health has always been a key priority at CalVet, and we’re pleased to partner with community-based providers statewide to expand the reach and effectiveness of resources for veterans seeking no cost, accessible mental health services in their own communities," said CalVet Secretary Lindsey Sin.
The grants are designed to increase veterans’ access to mental health services, reduce patient wait times for appointments and develop veteran-specific mental health care options.
In addition, the community-based providers that are awarded CVHI grants will apply the funding to expand statewide telehealth and other accessible mental health services to veterans and their families.
The grants will also work to increase California’s mental health workforce specializing in the veteran population by providing training and clinical supervision to the next generation of mental health professionals.
“CalVet is excited to collaborate with community-based organizations in the fight against veteran suicide,” Deputy Secretary of Veterans Services Division Roberto Herrera said. “We want to ensure that if a veteran is in need, culturally-competent community-based mental health support is easily accessible at no cost, no matter their era, length, or character of service.”
A projected total of 100,000 outpatient therapy and counseling sessions will be available via the seven community-based grant recipients, along with wraparound case management and peer support services.
Grantees have 90 days from receipt of the award to begin providing services to veterans and their families.
For more information on the CVHI-MHSGP, along with a list of grantees, please visit here.