Hartford Institute receives New York Community Trust grant to address behavioral health in primary care

NYU Meyers’ Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing has received a $285,000 grant from the New York Community Trust to train community-based primary care nurses to identify and treat addiction and other behavioral health conditions for people of all ages. 

The program, Nurses Improving Mental Health in the Community, is being implemented by the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing to maximize the potential of the nursing workforce as a vital part of the primary care team and to address behavioral health concerns.

"Behavioral health integration into primary care has the support of New York State and this initiative is an important step in preparing the workforce to provide primary care that addresses both physical and behavioral health," said Tara Cortes, PhD, RN, FAAN, executive director of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing and professor at NYU Rory Meyers.

The grant will fund the development of six online learning modules with 15 supplemental case studies to educate nurses working in Federally Qualified Health Centers—community-based healthcare providers that receive federal funding to treat underserved populations—across New York City.  Topics will include depression, substance use disorders, trauma, risk screening for behavioral disorders, diversity and inclusion, and social determinants of health.

The New York Community Trust funds work to help address New York’s most urgent challenges.