Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services, announced a $5 million investment to make telehealth services, including mental and behavioral health services, more accessible.
The money will boost child psychiatry telehealth services and establishing neighborhood telehealth access points.
“This investment in telehealth services is critical, as telehealth can bridge the gaps between patients and providers by offering more flexibility and convenience in accessing healthcare, reducing the stigma and increasing the availability of mental and behavioral health services, and ensuring folks can meet with a healthcare professional no matter where they live,” Evers says.
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, DHS will use $2.5 million of the investment to create a new grant program for hospitals and health systems to expand and enhance child psychiatry telehealth services.
Through this program, up to five one-year grants of approximately $500,000 will be awarded to hospitals and health systems across the state. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on May 6. See how to apply: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dcts/memos/202204actionmemo.pdf
The remaining $2.5 million of this investment will be used for a grant program for providers to partner with community organizations to establish neighborhood telehealth access points at food pantries, homeless shelters, libraries, long-term care facilities, community centers, and schools for people with limited access to technology and reliable internet service.
One-year grants of up to $100,000 each will be awarded to between 25 and 50 providers across the state. Applications are also due by 3 p.m. on May 6. See more information: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dcts/memos/202205actionmemo.pdf
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