Thrive to expand services with $4.3M federal grant
By Elizabeth Graham, Providence Business News contributing writer.
WARWICK – Thrive Behavioral Health Inc. says it plans to use a $4.3 million federal grant to expand its services in Kent and Washington counties, with a focus on addressing the needs of underserved people and communities.
The grant, announced Oct. 13, comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which has distributed funding to 231 community mental health centers nationwide in response to increased demand for mental health services amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the money, Thrive says it will implement six projects over the next two years to expand its behavioral health and clinical services to people with serious emotional disturbance or mental illness and to people suffering from either of those conditions who are also struggling with substance abuse.
Projects are:
- Mental health supports and school-wide behavioral plans in public schools.
- Youth and Family Services expansion into South County, with program staff based in Westerly.
- Outpatient services expansion into Coventry and West Warwick.
- Outpatient services for new clients impacted by COVID-19, including a program to eliminate barriers to care.
- Emergency services for people in crisis.
- Hire new employees in the training, information technology and transportation departments.
“This funding gives Thrive the extra support it needs to expand the reach of our clinical services to even more individuals whose behavioral health has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dan Kubas-Meyer, Thrive CEO and president. “Helping to improve the lives of Rhode Islanders living with behavioral health symptoms by giving them the tools and support they need to live healthier lives is what we do best here at Thrive.”
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN contributing writer.
This article is posted on Providence Business News.