La Familia Central Valley and the Alliance for Community Wellness Secure $714,023 to Launch Mobile Mental Health Access Point in Rural California
Turlock, Calif. – La Familia Central Valley (LFCV) is excited to announce it has been awarded $714,023 in funding to launch its Mobile Mental Health Access Point project, a pilot initiative aimed at increasing mental healthcare access for rural communities in Stanislaus and Merced counties. This project is expected to serve at least 500 unique individuals by providing critical mental health services through two mobile health vans.
The funding includes $357,000 in community project funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), thanks to a request submitted by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla during Fiscal Year 2024. LFCV extends its sincere gratitude to Senator Padilla for his continued advocacy for mental health resources in underserved areas. Additionally, Assemblymember Juan Alanis secured $357,023 in state funding to further support this initiative. LFCV appreciates Assemblymember Alanis’ commitment to addressing mental health disparities in rural California.
In the first three months of the Mobile Mental Health Access Point project, LFCV will screen for anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders across both counties. The mobile unit will partner with local organizations to raise awareness and offer care through in-person referrals, telehealth, and onsite services at community centers. The project includes a public health campaign to promote services and boost engagement at local events. LFCV will now have two fully equipped mobile vans and hire four Spanish-speaking case managers, and two Spanish-speaking therapists for screenings and patient care.
Stanislaus and Merced counties are federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas for mental healthcare, with per capita rates of mental health providers that are 50-80% below the state average. These disparities disproportionately impact low-income and migrant farmworker communities, which will be the primary focus of LFCV’s outreach efforts.
Clinical Director, Juan Perez, LCSW is excited to launch this innovative resource. “LFCV’s Mobile Mental Health Unit rethinks how we provide mental health resources to underserved families, children, and individuals in our rural communities. By bringing our clinic to the community, we will be able to fill the gap for those who have often struggled to access these important resources.”
LFCV has purchased two vans, which are currently undergoing retrofitting and are expected to be operational by April. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is anticipated in Spring 2025. The organization looks forward to delivering much-needed mental health services to rural and underserved populations, helping to close the gap in mental healthcare access in California’s Central Valley.
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CONTACT:
Manuel J. Jimenez, Jr., MA, LMFT Regional Director
La Familia Central Valley mjimenez@livelafamilia.org 209-633-3057