Anthem Blue Cross Grants CA Orgs $1.2M to Address Mental Health

Anthem Blue Cross Foundation has awarded $1.2 million in grants to five California-based organizations that focus on addressing mental health and substance use disorders in surrounding communities.

Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation.

The grants will help people experiencing mental health and substance use disorders move from treatment, incarceration, or other high-risk settings to stable housing environments in Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco counties. In addition, the funding will help these individuals access evidence-based resources for prevention, treatment, and recovery.

“Substance use disorder continues to be a public health challenge that’s taking too big of a toll in our communities here in the Golden State,” Beth Andersen, president of Anthem Blue Cross Commercial Plan, said in the press release.

“We are taking a holistic approach and focusing on local programs aimed at addressing an array of care and service options and working to enhance the quality of life and health of Californians, particularly those who are experiencing substance abuse disorders, which is a testament to our dedication to the communities we serve.”

Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries received $300,000 for its “Promoting Mental Well-being and Resiliency for Systems-Impacted People: Homeboy’s Health and Wellness Program.” This organization offers an 18-month employment and re-entry program and provides substance abuse resources.

LA Family Housing in Los Angeles, which helps people transition out of homelessness and poverty, was granted $250,000 for substance use and mental health programs for those living in permanent supportive housing.

Also in Los Angeles, Downtown Women’s Center received $200,000 to build capacity to address substance use disorder in Skid Row. Good Shepherd Gracenter in San Francisco received $75,000 for a transitional housing recovery program for homeless women seeking long-term recovery from addiction.

Lastly, California Health Collaborative in Fresno was granted $400,000 for a maternal wellness taskforce focusing on perinatal substance use.

The grants are part of a $30 million commitment from the Elevance Health Foundation to invest in initiatives through 2024 that promote equity for people with mental health and substance use disorders.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated substance use disorders and other mental health conditions, in addition to limiting access to treatment. Three years later, mental health concerns among Americans are still prevalent.

Public and private payers have implemented initiatives to help address members’ mental health needs. For example, CMS has expanded access to community-based mobile crisis intervention teams in six states. These teams are staffed by trained behavioral health professionals and paraprofessionals who offer individual screenings and assessments, stabilization and de-escalation services, and care coordination services.

On the private payer side, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will add coverage of peer support specialists to commercial plans next year. Peer support specialists are non-clinical, trained individuals who use their lived experiences to support people facing mental health challenges.