With the opioid crisis making headlines across the country, it’s clear that more needs to be done to help the growing number of patients dealing with issues of substance abuse. Recently, Sun Life Family Health Center received an Access Increases in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (AIMS) Project Grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) in the amount of $175,700.
HRSA’s supplemental funding supports the expansion of access to mental health and substance abuse services and focuses on the treatment, prevention and awareness of opioid abuse.
“This grant has allowed us to reach more patients who are struggling with opioid addiction while providing education and treatment through the MAPP program (Mindful Alternative Pain Program),” says Davis Plunkett, Manager of Integrated Behavioral Health.
A full-time clinical pharmacist will be hired to enable the company to expand its pain-management services in partnership with primary-care providers by helping patients taper off pain medications and ensure they receive the proper doses of medications. Funding will also be used to support the costs of sending behavioral health and clinical pharmacy staff to training related to the treatment of addiction and pain management.
