WILLIAMSBURG-The Williamsburg Health Foundation recently announced it is collaborating with 17 other foundations across Virginia to provide funding for expanded REACH behavioral health trainings for primary care providers treating children, teens, and young adults. So far, these foundations have committed $170,000 to improve access to mental health care.
The primary goal of the Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) is to provide access to better mental health care for children, many who are still struggling from the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic.
The program helps primary care physicians become better equipped to screen, diagnose, manage, and treat mental health, ensuring better quality of life for children and their families, according to a release issued on March 2. VMAP will coordinate two REACH trainings for up to 80 primary care providers.
The VMAP program is administered by the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation (MSVF) through a contract with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
“The Williamsburg Health Foundation is grateful to be part of this collaborative of foundations from around the commonwealth who are working together to address mental health,” said Deanna Van Hersh, CEO and president of the Williamsburg Health Foundation, in the release. “We believe partnerships across organizations is critical to addressing the mental health challenges facing our children and communities.”