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LUK, Inc. to Expand Accessible Behavioral Healthcare through UMass Memorial Health - HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital Funding
Fitchburg – LUK, Inc. recently received funding from UMass Memorial Health - HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital through their Determination of Need Program to increase behavioral healthcare accessibility in the communities they serve. This mission directly aligns with the Determination of Need Program’s focus goal: “to ensure that resources will be made reasonably and equitably available to every person within the Commonwealth at the lowest reasonable aggregate cost” (UMass Memorial, “Determination of Needs”).
The agency will accomplish this goal with LUK’s Equity & Access Project (LEAP). LEAP is designed to increase access to quality behavioral health care for populations that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and/or adversely affected by inequality.
The project focuses on those who encounter barriers to accessing behavioral health services based on the availability of standard outpatient appointments as well as language availability. Through LEAP, LUK aims to increase the number of behavioral health appointments accessible outside traditional hours (before 8:00 AM and after 6:00 PM) and on weekends, as well as appointments made available in languages other than English (such as in Spanish or American Sign Language).
With this funding from UMass Memorial Health - HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, LUK will be able to start building appropriate staffing to hold appointments outside standard hours and in multiple languages in order to provide more accessible care in Central Massachusetts communities.
LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families, and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community-based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services.
For more information about LUK, Inc. visit www.LUK.org, call (800) 579-0000, or find us on Facebook (@LetUsKnowINC). Join us in building stronger communities, family by family!
Source:
UMass Memorial Health. “Determination of Needs (DON) Funding Request for Proposals.” UMass Memorial Health, www.ummhealth.org/healthalliance-clinton-hospital/about-us/community-benefits-program/determination-needs-don-funding-requests-proposal. Accessed 2 Aug. 2023.
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