Hamilton County recently issued the following announcement.
The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded Hamilton County with an $80,000 grant to help paramedicine programs throughout the county provide better behavioral health services.
“Oftentimes, we have no way of identifying the folks in our community who need mental health support until they’ve committed a crime or are arrested,” says former judge and County Councilor Steve Nation. ““As it is, those who are transported by police or paramedics to a psychiatric center are evaluated, given a mental health safety plan, and sent on their way.”
Nation collaborated with local lawmakers to help craft Indiana House Enrolled Act 1118 (IN HB1118) which became law on July 1st. The law allows paramedicine programs to request a patient's individualized mental health safety plan, if certain conditions are met, so they can follow up with the patient and offer them the services and support they need to get back on their feet.
The grant will be used by paramedicine programs in Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Westfield for prevention, early identification and intervention, crisis intervention, and short-and-long term treatment programs throughout the county. The Hamilton County Community Foundation will administer the grant monies in partnership with Aspire and the Hamilton County Council.
“We are grateful for Duke Energy’s support to develop a comprehensive mitigation plan for Hamilton County,” says Tom Kilian, president of the Hamilton County Community Foundation. “This grant will allow us to expand the availability and accessibility of behavioral health services for residents by prioritizing early detection to connect individuals with treatment options before the problem intensifies.”
The Duke Energy Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana. Its latest round of giving is focused on the impact of addiction and mental health on the families in its service areas.
“We’ve seen a rise in mental health and substance use disorders across Indiana,” says Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “Our communities need help, and we’re joining the fight by supporting the critical work of organizations that are providing pathways to prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services.”
Photo: Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, Commissioners Christine Altman, Mark Heirbrant, and Steve Dillinger, Stan Pinegar and paramedicine professionals from around Hamilton County at the presentation of the grant on Monday, November 22nd at the Hamilton County Commissioners meeting.
Original source can be found here.
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