Written by Mattey Boyer
Spurwink appreciates our funders for their generous support in helping us expand access to behavioral health care. Through their contributions, our funders are making a meaningful impact on the well-being of our community, promoting greater health equity and access. These foundations share our commitment to improving health outcomes and ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, can receive the care they need. We proudly recognize the grant funders who make our work possible, helping us create healthier communities through increased access to vital services.
With United Way of Kennebec Valley funding, Spurwink has been improving access to behavioral health care for children, adults, and families in Kennebec County by allocating funds for treatments not covered by insurance, opening services for those waiting for Maine Care approval, and preventing delays or cessation of services for those that lose insurance coverage or are underinsured.
United Way of Southern Maine and the Sam L. Cohen Foundation are helping increase access to care in York County by expanding offerings through our accessible outpatient regional office in downtown Biddeford to include outpatient psychiatry, including psychiatric assessment and treatment for individuals aged five (5) and above, and medication for substance use disorders and care coordination for adults via the Adult Behavioral Health Home (A-BHH) model. All services include screening and safety planning for prevention of suicide. This will increase access to care for residents in York County who currently experience long waiting lists for service.
Through supporting the Access to Care and Basic Needs Fund, the Marr-Anderson Family Foundation is promoting education and health for individuals and families with behavioral health needs including developmental disabilities, serious emotional disturbance, mental health needs, and co-occurring substance use disorder. The Access to Care and Basic Needs Fund supports Spurwink’s Children’s Behavioral Health Homes Care Management which provides necessary medical equipment, transportation to school and doctor’s appointments, funds for school clothes, and many other services for children and families who otherwise wouldn’t have access to these services.
The Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust is supporting the Bridge Fund, an initiative to increase access to critical behavioral health care and basic needs for individuals seeking services through Spurwink Adult Behavioral Health. This includes cold-weather gear and essentials for unhoused individuals, support for individuals and families experiencing behavioral health care disparities, and other resources to support basic needs.
The York County Cares Fund is supporting youth and their families in Saco through Spurwink’s ShifaME Trauma Systems Therapy program. The program serves children and youth and their families who are at disproportionately high risk for adverse health outcomes due to trauma and stress. ShifaME offers a range of services including community engagement, 12-week school-based peer groups, care management, and counseling.
