Enchantment State News

Bernalillo County issued the following announcement on Sept. 3. 

The Department of Behavioral Health Services reopens the application process for behavioral health providers who wish to apply for emergency financial support through the Bernalillo County Behavioral Health Provider CARES Grant. This grant is for qualified behavioral health providers to assist with costs associated with interruption caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The county has awarded over $279,000 to behavioral health providers in the community. These funds have been infused in the community to help providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the issuance of these funds, Bernalillo County hopes to:

• Increase the access of behavioral health care services to Bernalillo County residents from behavioral health providers during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Expand services to minimize the behavioral health impact of COVID-19 among Bernalillo County residents;
• Ensure that behavioral health provider systems have the capacity to handle COVID-19 impacted clients through an expansion of services to address new needs related to the pandemic and the rapid demand for services.

Through this program, the county will offer one-time grants up to $10,000 to qualifying behavioral health providers covering costs such as employee wages, vendor bills and telehealth expansions. One million dollars has been allocated for this fund, which is available as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act federal stimulus package.

The application process will reopen Sept. 8, 2020 8 a.m. and close on Sept. 15, 2020 5 p.m. or until funds have been exhausted. First grant payment will go out mid to late September. Visit the application online at www.bernco.gov/BHcares.

Original source can be found here.