The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) will be traveling across Nebraska this summer to discuss with providers the impact of $25.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on behavioral health care in the state.
At the request of the Nebraska Legislature, BHECN distributed the funds in 2023 to address the state’s behavioral health workforce shortage and behavioral health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BHECN, housed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), used a comprehensive application and review process to allocate the funds to more than 100 projects around the state to help address key behavioral issues on various fronts. See a full list of BHECN-ARPA Awardees here.
This summer’s trips will unite recipients through a series of statewide gatherings, where they can share project progress, explore avenues for additional support from BHECN, exchange best practices, and foster stronger networks.
“The BHECN-ARPA project presents a uniquely powerful opportunity to address enduring behavioral health workforce challenges, especially those compounded by the pandemic,” said Marley Doyle, MD, director of BHECN. “We eagerly anticipate engaging with Nebraska’s outstanding organizations in person, witnessing their groundbreaking efforts, which are poised to improve the lives of so many Nebraskans.”
Jessie Buche, director of the ARPA Awards Program, added, “BHECN is particularly enthusiastic about showcasing the remarkable achievements of BHECN-ARPA awardees in the inaugural year of their projects.”
The BHECN-ARPA awardee gatherings will be held:
Tuesday, June 11 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Ockinga Seminar Center.
Tuesday, June 18 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MDT at Chadron State College in the student center’s Scottsbluff Room.
Tuesday, Aug. 6 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at Wayne State College.
Wednesday, Aug. 7 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT at UNMC.
Media are invited to attend the events. (Best time may be from 10:10-11:30 a.m.; a BHECN awardee will present and then awardees will meet to discuss successes and challenges.)
“Nebraska confronts numerous behavioral health workforce challenges, and our awardees are addressing those challenges head on,” Buche said. “We are excited to hear their insights and amplify their important work.”