RVBH awarded grant to expand mental health and case management services

Nonprofit also announces Mental Health Awareness Art Contest for K-12 Students

RiverValley Behavioral Health is pleased to announce the expansion of services for children and families through a new federal and Commonwealth grant, Systems of Care (SOC) V, and a Mental Health Awareness Art Project for Students K-12.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in six children experience a mental health crisis, but less than half receive treatment. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34 in the United States. Access to treatment continues to be a challenge for many families due to stigma, economic factors, stress, transportation, and lack of trained clinicians.

Dr. Wanda Figueroa Peralta, President & CEO of RiverValley Behavioral Health stated, “As the Commonwealth’s designated regional Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), we are equipped to provide an array of mental health services that range from prevention, mental health, and substance abuse counseling to medical services, case management, residential services and inpatient care for children and youth. The need for mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities services by qualified providers continues to increase. There is added stress and anxiety, especially after the yearlong pandemic. Our team has worked endlessly to develop programs that remove barriers to treatment. We are excited to announce two new programs in collaboration with the Commonwealth and community partners.”

RiverValley was selected by the Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (BHDID) to receive $400,000 to implement System of Care (SOC), a two-year grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).

A System of Care (SOC) is defined as “a spectrum of effective, community-based services and supports for children and youth with or at risk for behavioral health or other challenges and their families, that is organized into a coordinated network, builds meaningful partnerships with families and youth, and addresses their cultural and linguistic needs, in order to help them to function better at home, in school, in the community, and throughout life.”

RiverValley’s System of Care offers four evidence-based services: Respite, Targeted Case Management via High Fidelity Wrap Around, Intensive In-Home Services, and 24/7 Mobile Crisis Services for Children. System of Care services are tailored to help and support children and families at risk of neglect or abuse and those already involved in the child protective system.

Services are youth-family driven, most services take place at home, and connect families to community resources that help their children be safe and thrive. The new System of Care program covers the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) Two Rivers geographical area, which includes Daviess County.

Leslie Bentley, Senior Director of Targeted Case Management Services with River Valley Behavioral Health and current Regional Interagency Council (RIAC) Chairperson said, “I am so pleased that we can continue our long-standing collaboration to provide comprehensive services to children, youth and families in our area through the System of Care V.”

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. In recognition, RiverValley Behavioral Health is launching a youth mental health art contest. Children and youth in grades K-12 are invited to express the importance of mental health and create a positive message for themselves and others via a visual art project.

Two winners will be selected in the K-6 and 7-12 grade category and will receive $500. The school or nonprofit youth organization of their choice will also receive a matching $500 award. Students from public and private K-12 schools are eligible to participate.

RiverValley recognizes the importance of organizations serving youth and will also donate $1,000 to the school or nonprofit youth organization that has the most entries. Entries must be received by May 31, 2021. Winners will be announced on June 16, 2021.

Dianne McFarling, Senior Director of RiverValley Regional Prevention Center said, “We want to encourage an open dialogue about mental health with youth and self-expression. We recognize the importance of youth reaching out to their friends or fellow students with a message of hope, friendship, and support. We are asking our community youth to be the creators of a mental health awareness message. Through this campaign, they will have the opportunity to develop positive self-talk, affirmation, and connect with others.”

RiverValley CEO, Dr. Wanda Figueroa Peralta said: “We must embrace, protect and help develop our children and youth. We must come together to create safe, nurturing spaces for them. RiverValley wants to recognize the schools and youth service organizations that provide encouragement, mentoring, and protective factors. Parents and these community organizations are important mental health partners. Our team of clinicians is available to offer workshops on any mental health subject or issue they want to address at no cost. They just need to contact our regional prevention center and request it. Parents can contact us to benefit from counseling, case management, and support services. We are here for you.”

RiverValley Behavioral Health is a nonprofit organization specializing in the provision of mental and behavioral health services. It has been a regional healthcare provider, covering Daviess, Ohio, McLean, Hancock, Webster, Union, and Henderson counties for over 50 years.

To access services, contact 270-689-6879 or 1-800-769-4920 for TDD-Hearing Impaired. For those in crisis with a non-medical emergency, call or text the Crisis Line at 1-800-433-7291.

Published on May 4, 2021