NCDMH Awarded Children’s Mental Health Initiative Grant

The Niagara County Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (NCDMH) has been awarded more than $2.5 million over four years through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) to formalize and expand the Community Network of Care (CNOC) for children and families in Niagara County. NCDMH is one of 27 applicants funded nationally through the competitive application process.

The grant will support CNOC in expanding children and youth served from birth through age 21 with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), or who may be at risk for such, in a region where nearly half of residents live in rural areas with limited access to mental health services. An estimated 3,500 young people need intensive supports, and more than 10,000 are at risk.

“Securing this funding is a transformative moment for Niagara County’s children and families in need of support”, said Laura Kelemen, NCDMH Director, “Formalizing and expanding CNOC will allow us to build a coordinated, evidence based framework that ensures young people receive the highest quality care. We are grateful for this investment in our community’s well-being.”

Funding will further expand the Children’s Single Point of Access (CSPOA) as the centralized entry to care; establish a System of Care Governance Board; implement additional evidence-based practices; provide a Lead Family Navigator, Family Peer Advocate and Youth Peer Advocate; and allow for enhanced suicide risk screening. Digital Behavioral Health Safety Planning through an evidenced-based youth wellness platform will also be rolled out. 

“This grant allows us to strengthen our partnerships across schools, healthcare providers, community agencies, and families, bringing everyone to the same table to support our youth,” said Myrla Gibbons Doxey, NCDMH Deputy Director and CNOC Chair.  “Together, we can dramatically improve outcomes for young people with serious emotional and behavioral health needs and create a system that is responsive and sustainable from birth through the transition into adulthood.”

For more information about the Community Network of Care (CNOC) for Children and Families in Niagara County  click here.