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Transforming Childrens Mental Healthcare in America
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Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services Program for Children and Their Families

 

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Mental Health Initiative for Children

Under the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (MHAASA), the Puerto Rico Mental Health Initiative for Children (PR/MHIC) is directed to develop a culturally competent system of care (SOC) for Hispanic children with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and their families in the Llorens Torres Housing Project in San Juan, and the rural municipality of Gurabo.  The 6-year project will integrate representatives of the Puerto Rico Departments of Health, Education, Family, Juvenile Justice, Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities, and Juvenile Institutions with community and family-run groups such as the Independent Leaders Pro-Welfare of Llorens Torres, and community-based organizations such as the Gurabo Community Health Center, to form a governing board that will also include youth and parents of children with SED. New mental health services will be created in two target communities with children and families enrolled by year two. The services will include high quality interventions for approximately 120 children per year and support services for their families. Expanded child-centered and family-focused services in existing agencies (special education in schools, mental health services by health reform providers) and new scientifically proven clinical interventions and support services for families will be offered and their effectiveness evaluated on a continual basis.

Gary M. Blau
Grantee Project Officer
1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 6-1050
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: 240-246-1921
Fax: 240-276-1990
E-mail: gary.blau@samhsa.hhs.gov 
Pedro Morales, Ph. D.
Principal Investigator
MHAASA
P.O. Box 21414
San Juan, PR 00928-1414
Phone: 787-766-4171
E-mail: pedromo@assmca.gobierno.pr 
Norma I. Delgado-Mercado, Ph.D
Program Director
MHAASA
P.O. Box 21414
San Juan, PR 00928-1414
Phone: 787-766-4171
Fax: 787-722-4560
E-mail: ndelgado@assmca.gobierno.pr 
Key Youth Coordinators:
Alberto Figueroa (Lloréns Torres)
Phone: 787-766-4171 x 2327

											

											
 

  Please direct information updates to soc@samhsa.gov with the specific location or internet address to be updated. Thank you.
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