The Kane County Health Department is looking to give out $5 million in grants to local organizations with innovative solutions to improving access and quality of behavioral health care, officials announced on Monday.
In December 2023, the Kane County Board allocated nearly $10 million in federal pandemic recovery funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to the Health Department so that it could address gaps in the behavioral health system, according to a news release from the county.
The Health Department is now looking to make a portion of those funds available to local organizations like non-profits, community groups, service providers and other agencies in support of community-driven projects aimed at improving the county’s behavioral health system and the mental well-being of its residents, officials said in the release.
“The mental health and well-being of our residents are top priorities for Kane County, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Michael Isaacson, Kane County Health Department’s executive director, said in the release. “These grants will help build a more robust and resilient behavioral health infrastructure, ensuring that our community members have the support they need to thrive.”
Organizations have until June 21 to apply for between $20,000 and $300,000 in funding to develop and enhance their behavioral health systems through the Kane County Health Department’s Behavioral Health System Improvement Initiatives Grants, the release said.
County officials are asking applicants to submit a proposal for projects that meet one of the main evaluation categories:
- Expansion of behavioral health services
- Integrated behavioral health care models
- Prevention and early intervention
- Enhance telehealth and technology
Proposals should demonstrate innovative approaches to enhancing behavioral health systems, including but not limited to training and education for health care providers, telehealth services, outreach programs and initiatives aimed at reducing stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders, officials said in the release
“Our goal is a coordinated and data-driven behavioral health system that the community is aware and proud of,” Kim Peterson, Kane County director of community health and manager of this initiative, said in the release. “The grant funds will support the organizations in our community who are providing innovative mental health and substance use solutions that reflect the needs of Kane County residents.”
Full details on the application process, eligibility criteria and funding guidelines are available on the Kane County Health Department’s website at kanehealth.com/Pages/BH-Funding.aspx