January in Brief: Expanding Mental Health Resources for a New Year

In January, Administrator Johnson visited Los Angeles, California, and Albany, New York, to announce Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding, HRSA hosted a mental health roundtable, awarded new funding to integrate training on mental health for primary care clinicians, and announced several new funding opportunities.

Recent HRSA Highlights

Administrator Johnson Visits California to Highlight Key HRSA Investments

At the end of January, Administrator Johnson traveled to California where shevisited Charles R. Drew University, a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), to host a roundtable discussing mental health care and primary care. At the roundtable, she saw firsthand how the Universitys staff and medical residents are poised to use HRSA's Bipartisan Safer Community Act funding to make a real difference in mental health care for kids and build a healthier community in East Los Angeles by integrating behavioral health into primary care training.

Administrator Johnson also met with staff working on HRSA-supported Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) projects. Charles R. Drew is a key partner in HRSAs effort to address inequities in HIV care and treatment affecting adolescent girls and young women.

Administrator Johnson visited Childrens Hospital Los Angeles in January to highlight Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding awards and see firsthand how HRSA investments are helping health care providers reduce burnout and improve wellness.

Finally, she delivered remarks at a National Governors Association meeting focused on Chair Governor Murphy of New Jerseys initiative to strengthen youth mental health and First Lady Murphys initiative to improve maternal and infant health. Administrator Johnsondiscussed federal efforts to reduce maternal mortality, including new HRSA programs that support pregnant people and new mothers.

HRSA Awards Nearly $60 Million To Help the Health Care Workforce Meet Families Mental Health Needs

Administrator Johnson joined HHS Secretary Becerra, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, and U.S. Representative Paul Tonko of New York at an event at the Mental Health Association of New York State in Albany to announce$245 million in federal funding under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Actto support youth mental health, help the health care workforce address mental health needs, and fund other critical mental health supports.

As part of the new funding, HRSAs Bureau of Health Workforce will award nearly $60 million to 24 grantees to support the integration of mental health training into the training of primary care clinicians, with a specific focus on preparing primary care providers to treat the mental health needs of children and adolescents.

News From the Regions

HHS Secretary Becerra Announces New HRSA Youth Mental Health Funds in Baltimore, MD

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra joined new Maryland Governor Wes Moore at Behavioral Health System Baltimore to announce new Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funding from HRSA to support school-based mental health services. Together with community organization leadership and youth advocates, the group discussed opportunities to strengthen mental and behavioral health resources and support throughout the state.

Photo by Sarah True/The Baltimore Banner

HRSA Visits Local Health Leaders in Baltimore, MD

HRSA Regional Administrator Leah Suter and Deputy Regional Administrator Rob McKenna visited local public health and behavioral health leaders in Baltimore, MD, for a series of meetings highlighting HRSA's programs, resources, and priorities. The visit included stops with Behavioral Health System Baltimore, Inc., which serves as the local Behavioral Health Authority and manages Baltimore City's behavioral health system (left photo), and with the Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Letitia Dzirasa (right photo). These visits are part of HRSAs regional outreach to health officials to promote HRSA's investments, foster connections between IEA and key partners, and catalyze opportunities for collaboration throughout 2023.

HRSA Visits New Jersey State Health Leaders and New Jerseys First Lady

HRSA Regional Administrator Cheryl Donald joined HHS leaders in meetings with the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Department of Human Services, New Jersey Department of Children and Families, and New Jerseys First Lady, Tammy Snyder Murphy, in Trenton, NJ. The discussion focused on HRSAs work in maternal health, workforce, and behavioral health, and opportunities to work together to improve health outcomes across New Jersey, including strategies to support New Jerseys primary care workforce.

HRSA Visits South Carolina Health Leaders and Partners

HRSA Regional Administrator Natalie Brevard Perry convened meetings between HHS leaders and South Carolina health leaders and partners, including the Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the South Carolina Public Health Director, as well as leaders from the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina. The discussions centered on behavioral health care, public health workforce recruitment and retention, statewide coordination and collaboration, reducing disparities, and public health preparedness.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Economic Summit

HRSA Regional Administrator Leah Suter (pictured with HHS Regional Director Ala Stanford) joined federal officials, local leaders, and community members at theWhite House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Economic Summitin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This Summit is the first in a series of regional summits to connect Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) community members and small businesses directly with federal leaders and resources.