FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2022
Contact
Brynn Molloy
AWARE Director of Development & Marketing
bmolloy@Aware-inc.org
406.546.3167
ANACONDA, MT – It was recently announced that the Wireline Competition Bureau approved $47.89 million in funding commitments to 100 health care providers across the nation under Round 2 of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Telehealth Program. AWARE, based in Anaconda, was awarded $457,603 to support and enhance its telehealth services.
AWARE, a statewide nonprofit organization that offers quality, community-based support for people with mental health and/or developmental disabilities will use the grant funding to expand and enhance the telehealth options that it is currently providing across the spectrum of services since the start of the outbreak of COVID-19. AWARE believes that the investment in telehealth capabilities will help meet the increasing behavioral health service needs across this frontier state.
In March 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, AWARE implemented a Telehealth Expansion Pilot project in Missoula youth therapeutic group homes to enhance remote capabilities and access to video-based visitation and telehealth appointments. The Telehealth Program grant funds will be used to expand the pilot project to all of AWARE’s residential facilities across Montana. Additionally, some of the funds will be used to equip AWARE’s mental health therapists with the mobile equipment and connectivity necessary to securely provide telehealth services outside of a hardwired office.
Through enhanced telehealth devices and services, AWARE can continue to meet the needs of our current 4,500 clients, and reach others in need of mental health services, while in the safety of their own homes and communities.
With the recent announcement of funding, AWARE Chief Executive Officer, Matt Bugni said, “I am thankful that AWARE has been recognized for our ability to assist Montanans with mental wellness and honored that AWARE is a recipient of this funding. Our team of professionals has stayed true to our mission of serving others, even during a pandemic. With this funding, we are excited to implement effective telehealth practices across Montana!”
The Bureau has awarded 447 providers a total of $256,378,567. This funding will provide critical support to health care providers on the front lines of the fight against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Federal Communications Commission established the Program in April 2020 pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide $200 million in emergency funding to health care providers for telehealth and connected care services in response to COVID-19. To build on the Program’s success, Congress appropriated an additional $249.95 million to fund the second round of the Program as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
Please contact Brynn Molloy at bmolloy@Aware-inc.org for more information or to schedule interviews.
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