Health Center In Hartford Gets Major Funding Boost

HARTFORD, CT — A community health center in Hartford will receive a major federal funding boost courtesy of a $4.2 million federal grant earmarked for expanded behavioral health services.

The Charter Oak Health Center, located at 401 New Britain Ave., Hartford, is a community health center offering health care to underserved populations in that area, regardless of the ability to pay.

As a result, it relies on government grants and other funding sources to operate.

Charter Oak's share of the $4.2 million pie — spread out among six other similar type agencies in Connecticut — is about $600,000, according to a statement from members of Connecticut's delegation in Washington.

Specifically, the funding boost will increase Charter Oak's mental health, behavioral health, and addiction recovery services.

Officials cited a new report from Mental Health America showing the need for the expansion of services, finding a vast majority of people with a substance use disorder in the U.S. are not receiving treatment.

They claim one in five youths had at least one major depressive episode in the last year—with more than half not receiving treatment and 10 percent of adults with a mental illness are uninsured.

As a result, officials claim most health centers are only able to meet about 27 percent of the demand for mental health services and 6 percent of the substance use disorder treatment demand.

“This $4.2 million in federal funding will allow seven crucial community health centers in Connecticut to expand their lifesaving mental and behavioral health services,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said.

“For too many struggling with mental illness or substance use, lifesaving care remains out of reach because overburdened health centers are unable to meet demand,” added U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, who represents Hartford, agreed.

“I’m thrilled to announce $600,000 in federal funding for Hartford’s Charter Oak Health Center,” Larson said.

“These funds are part of a nationwide effort to expand access to mental health care and substance use prevention services. Today’s announcement means that health centers across the country, including right here in Hartford, will be able to serve more than 300,000 patients previously unable to access the care they need.”