VALPARAISO, IN —HealthLinc has been awarded $2,027,000 from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) for the expansion of Mobile Response Systems in Lake, LaPorte, Porter and Starke counties. This is an extension of the DMHA previous funding of 1.5 million dollars that ended on September 30, 2020. The additional funding period is October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.
“The current pandemic has resulted in an increase in substance use as people deal with uncertainty, stress, and isolation which in turn, makes them even more vulnerable to COVID-19 and its symptoms,” states Beth Wrobel, HealthLinc CEO. “We are grateful to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction for this additional funding which enables us to continue our vital work on behalf of those struggling with substance use disorder.”
HealthLinc used the original funding to launch three Mobile Response Teams (MRT’s) in LaPorte, Porter and Starke counties that can respond to an opioid episode. The new funding will be used to expand to Lake County by adding two additional teams and increase the total team size by eight additional staff.
The expansion is in response to the increase in substance misuse in Northwest Indiana and the need for more recovery resources for individuals and families. Mobile Response Teams provide home based recovery support to individuals dealing with substance misuse by linking individuals with resources and support in their journey of recovery.
This innovative program is supported by partners in law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other community agencies, who assist in identifying individuals in the communities who need support. To date, the HealthLinc MRT program has assisted over 105 individuals, and hope to expand coverage to another 200 individuals.
“We are fortunate to be able to continue the work we have started,” states Mimi Gardner, HealthLinc Chief Behavioral Health and Addictions Officer. “Addiction is a disease which does not discriminate, and we are here to provide support and strength for those who are suffering.”
For more information about HealthLinc and the Mobile Response Grant, contact Jodie Wexelberg at jwexelberg@healthlincchc.org.
About HealthLinc
HealthLinc, Inc. (healthlincchc.org) is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center that provides primary medical, dental, optometry, and behavioral health services to people of all ages regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In 1996, HealthLinc began as Hilltop Neighborhood House, a neighborhood clinic and childcare center in Valparaiso, IN. Since then, HealthLinc has expanded to eleven clinics, two telehealth clinics, and one mobile medical/dental clinic. HealthLinc accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), most commercial insurance plans, and provides care for uninsured patients. Services will be provided on a sliding fee scale based on household size and income, regardless of a patient’s insurance status.
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HealthLinc Corporate Headquarters are located at 2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso, IN. HealthLinc clinics span Northern Indiana and are in East Chicago, Knox, La Porte, Michigan City, Mishawaka, South Bend and Valparaiso.