FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Marcie Dearth, VP External Relations
(407) 637-0374
mdearth@impowerfl.org

IMPOWER Granted $600,000 to Provide Telehealth Services for Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment Related to COVID-19

LONGWOOD, Florida, May 21, 2020 – Longwood, FL-based IMPOWER, Inc. has been selected by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to receive a $600,000 emergency grant to provide Telehealth services for individuals across the state that address mental health and substance use disorders brought on my COVID- 19.. The funding is part of a $1.9 million total award, announced Monday, May 18, by First Lady Casey DeSantis, and received by DCF from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA). The funding is intended to help address behavioral health disorders resulting from the current public health emergency. {Read full press release HERE}.

IMPOWER was chosen due to its existing contractual relationship with several of the state Managing Entities, in addition to its experience, expertise and ability to provide telehealth services statewide, according to IMPOWER President/CEO Anna Kesic. As a leading provider for mental health and substance abuse treatment, IMPOWER has been offering Telehealth services since 2013 and conducted more than 650,000 sessions to date.

IMPOWER will strategically message and promote availability of services, working with the Department of Children and Families. The services will target healthcare workers or any other individuals experiencing a serious mental illness, substance use disorder and/or those who are experiencing behavioral health challenges at a lesser degree due to the COVID-19 pandemic and who are indigent, underinsured or uninsured may qualify.

IMPOWER expects to serve approximately 300 individuals, children and adults through the grant and will provide mental health and substance abuse counseling, case management, and psychiatric services (including evaluations, medication management and financial assistance with obtaining necessary medication).

The grant funds will be administered through Central Florida Cares Health System, the Managing Entity in the Central Region of the State and is expected to be available beginning July 1.

Individuals seeking to make a referral, schedule an appointment or to find out if they are eligible for services through this grant should visit www.impowerfl.org or email referrals@impowerfl.org.

About IMPOWER
IMPOWER, a 501 (c)(3) organization, is a leading non-profit behavioral health and child well-being organization focused on “inspiring life’s potential”. Established in 1994, IMPOWER serves more than 12,000 individuals and families statewide each year. Programs and services include: outpatient mental health and substance misuse treatment, youth residential substance abuse treatment, prevention, foster care/adoptions, and youth transitional housing. For more information visit www.impowerfl.org.

###