Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Funding Will Support Training Primary Care Providers to Address Mental Health
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, awarded nearly $7.5 million across three grantees in Texas through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to help primary care physicians meet families’ mental health needs. These grants will support making mental health part of the training of primary care clinicians, with a specific focus on the mental health needs of children and adolescents. The Texas awards are part of a total $60 million nationwide investment in this initiative.
“Often the first person you turn to when you or your kids need mental health support is your trusted primary care provider—yet for too long, we haven’t given those primary care providers the mental health training they need to help. With funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Health Resources and Services Administration is investing in making mental health a part of primary care training so that there is no wrong door when your family needs support,” said Carole Johnson, Administrator of HRSA.
In Texas, three grantees will receive about $2.5 million each over 5 years to support integrating mental health into the training of primary care residents, including family physicians, pediatricians and others with a specific focus on treating children, adolescents and young adults. Programs will work with schools, community-based organizations, and other youth settings. The Texas awardees are:
- McLennan County Medical Education and Research Foundation, Waco
- Tarrant County Hospital District, Fort Worth
- The Texas A&M University System, College Station
Addressing the mental health crisis is a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration, as part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law by President Biden in June, provided HHS with vital resources to help children and families across the country.
“HRSA investments help train and prepare a health workforce to meet the most urgent needs of the nation’s families and communities,” said Luis Padilla, M. D., HRSA’s associate administrator for health workforce. “Programs like these expand access to critical mental health services for Texas youth and help children and families get the support they need in their community.”