Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation has committed $600,000 to Care For the Homeless (CFH) to expand the “Bronx Health Reach Initiative,” a street-based outreach program targeting mental health and substance use disorders among the South Bronx’s homeless population. The grant aims to address the increasing need for accessible treatment, particularly for opioid addiction, through enhanced Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services.
CFH’s Bronx Health Reach Initiative addresses mental health crises and substance use disorders through trauma-informed, street-based interventions designed to reach homeless individuals where they are. In 2023, the organization provided crucial services to over 11,000 homeless New Yorkers, a 15% increase from the previous year, reflecting a rising demand for accessible mental health support across the city.
“The mental health and substance use disorder crisis affecting the homeless community deserves urgent and sustained support,” said Dr. Mark Levy, President and CEO of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “This grant will enable Care For the Homeless to expand critical services and ensure access to much-needed treatment for vulnerable populations. At Anthem, we believe in addressing social determinants of health in a way that drives meaningful and measurable outcomes in the communities we serve.”
Care For the Homeless President and CEO George Nashak echoed this commitment, emphasizing the grant’s importance in tackling the Bronx’s opioid crisis. “Recovery begins with accessible, compassionate care. This grant from Anthem allows us to deepen our impact in the South Bronx, particularly in reaching individuals who are battling both homelessness and substance use disorders,” he said. “Expanding our immediate street-based initiation of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to address the opioid crisis allows us to provide timely, life-saving treatment to those who need it most.”
The two-year grant will allow CFH to increase outreach, staffing, and resources, strengthening partnerships and community engagement efforts. The program will implement a mixed-methods strategy, using pre- and post-assessments to evaluate progress. CFH projects that it will reach approximately 3,300 people over the next two years, with over 1,250 participants expected to utilize comprehensive services, including mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and housing support.
Key program outcomes will focus on improving treatment adherence, housing stability, and quality of life for participants. By addressing critical gaps in mental health and substance use treatment, CFH aims to increase participant access to care by 40%, prioritizing timely intervention for individuals affected by homelessness and substance use.