Regional Primary Care Network Receives $1.5 Million Grant From United Health Foundation
United Health Foundation grant to fund initiative to extend mental
health services at RPCN community health centers for Rochester, Utica
and surrounding communities
ROCHESTER, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A $1.5 million grant from United Health Foundation will enable Regional
Primary Care Network (RPCN) to expand the reach of its behavioral mental
health services, including coordination of health services across all
health providers.
U.S. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter; Kathy McGuire, senior vice
president, Rochester Regional Health System; Michael Nazar, executive
vice president/chief of medical groups, Rochester Regional Health
System; David Putney, medical director of the Monroe County Office of
Mental Health; and other community leaders joined RPCN and
UnitedHealthcare executives at Genesee Health Service Center, 224
Alexander Street in Rochester, for the announcement.
The grant is part of United Health Foundation’s “Helping
Build Healthier Communities” program that provides resources to
nonprofits that have local expertise and programs aimed at expanding
access to care, improving health outcomes and building healthier
communities.
RPCN will use the funds to integrate behavioral health and primary care
services at two of RPCN’s community health centers – Rushville Community
Health Center and Utica Community Health Center – as well as one of its
contracted centers, Genesee Health Services.
Grant Meets Critical Community Need for More Integrated Health Care
Services
The funding comes at a critical time as the need for
more integrated health care, including behavioral health services, far
outpaces the number of professionals available to provide that care in
Upstate New York. RPCN reported that area residents seek or need mental
health services for alcohol or substance abuse disorders, attention
deficit and disruptive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and
depression.
“Regional Primary Care Network plays a critical role in improving the
health of residents in Central and Western New York,” said Heather
Cianfrocco, Northeast Regional CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. “By
bringing together primary care and mental health services in one
setting, RPCN is simplifying the health care experience so people can
get the care they need.”
Grant Will Enable Care Continuity Across Behavioral and Primary Care
Providers
Through this initiative, RPCN will collaborate with
behavioral and primary care providers to better coordinate care to
improve patients’ overall health. It will formalize training for center
staff to support the delivery of culturally sensitive, in-language
behavioral health services for its patients. RPCN also will develop
systems to track screenings, referrals and patient visits to determine
the program’s impact on overall care and access to regional behavioral
health services.
“Our partnership with United Health Foundation will enable us to better
serve our communities by integrating behavioral health into our
centers,” said Michael Leary, RPCN CEO. “Over the past few years, we
have transformed our medical and dental practices, achieving the highest
level of recognition as Patient Centered Medical Homes. We are now in
the perfect position to add behavioral health services and continue
improving the overall health of the communities we serve.”
“I am so proud to stand with my friends from the Rochester Primary Care
Network to celebrate this new partnership with United Health Foundation.
These two organizations are on the front lines of providing health and
intervention services and understand the critical importance of mental
health services,” said Rep. Slaughter. “This announcement means that
RPCN will be better prepared to serve the members of our community who
need access to critical mental health care. I thank United Health
Foundation for this investment in our community’s future.”
RPCN will administer the grant through Dec. 31, 2017. At the end of this
period, RPCN plans to expand its fully integrated behavioral
health/primary care services to its other urban and rural community
health centers.
About Regional Primary Care Network
Regional
Primary Care Network (RPCN) is a not-for-profit network of Community
Health Centers with 23 service locations that provide primary medical
and dental care across Upstate New York, including Chemung, Livingston,
Monroe, Oneida, Ontario, Wayne and Yates counties. Between 11-17 percent
of the residents it serves live below the Federal Poverty Guideline –
and nearly 20 percent speak languages other than English. School-based
portable dental services are also provided throughout the Finger Lakes
region and in Oneida County. RPCN is dedicated to providing access to
quality health care for all, regardless of financial, cultural or social
barriers.
About United Health Foundation
Through
collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts,
United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a
diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local
communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth
Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation
dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health
Foundation has committed more than $240 million to programs and
communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.
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Contacts
United Health Foundation
Maria Gordon Shydlo, 914-933-4613
maria_g_shydlo@uhc.com
or
Regional
Primary Care Network
Rachel Studley, 585-325-2280
rstudley@rpcn.org
