Wheeler Clinic Receives $5 Million Grant

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

October 7, 2021

Wheeler Clinic has received a two-year, $5 million federal grant to expand mental health services for children, adolescents and adults through its community health centers.

The grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is intended to support and restore clinical services affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

Wheeler was one of six grant awardees in Connecticut. Wheeler's community health centers are located in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville and Waterbury.

Sabrina Trocchi, president and chief executive officer at Wheeler Clinic, said the grant will provide patients with rapid access to behavioral health and other forms of care, outreach and engagement.

“The unprecedented pandemic and its resulting effects - uncertainty, social isolation and economic distress - have had a profound impact on mental health,” Trocchi said. “In Connecticut, where rates of serious mental illness and thoughts of suicide among young adults are higher than national averages, and where opioid use and overdoses happen at staggering levels among people of all ages, it is essential to put into place supports to help people find hope and a path to health and recovery."

The Wheeler program will include the addition of a Behavioral Health Access Team (BHAT) at each Community Mental Health Center site. The team will address walk-in crisis and early intervention services. They will also connect patients to psychiatric services and provide enhanced referral pathways through partnerships with faith-based and grassroots organizations.

Additionally, the team will provide after-hours peer support and staff training on behavioral health disparities. The team will assist staff with engaging diverse populations and the impact of the pandemic on behavioral health. Furthermore, it will allow for the expansion of self-care opportunities, including wellness and health coaching.

Trocchi added, among the components of the program, are a connection to "evidence-based services," including trauma services. The program also provides access to primary care through Wheeler’s community health centers. The program emphasizes peer engagement, early intervention/crisis assessment and follow-up.

"The organization’s behavioral health staff will be trained in health disparities and trauma and will have access to self-care supports," Trocchi said. "Wheeler will partner with a number of community providers to provide training for behavioral health staff on topics, including cultural and linguistic strategies to engage and retain diverse populations and to address mental health needs."

For more information, visit wheelerclinic.org or call 888-793-3500.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.