CDS Behavioral Health Clinic
Project Dates
2024 – Present
Funding Source
Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Division
About
The CDS Behavioral Health Clinic (CDS BHC) is a vital resource recently established in Hawai’i to address the mental health needs of individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families. Through a strategic partnership with the Hawai’i Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD), CDS BHC is currently offering essential mental health support services to individuals affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. This initiative, funded by DDD via the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), ensures that children and adults with DD who have been displaced by the disaster receive critical assistance and care.
CDS BHC’s mission extends beyond immediate crisis response. It also serves as a training site for graduate students pursuing their Masters in Social Work at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa). Through hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities, students gain valuable insight into providing specialized mental health services for individuals with DD, contributing to the cultivation of future mental health professionals dedicated to this underserved population.
By combining SAMHSA-funded services with its role as an educational hub, CDS BHC plays a significant role in improving mental health outcomes for individuals with DD and their families in Maui. This collaborative effort underscores the clinic’s commitment to fostering resilience, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring equitable access to essential mental health resources in the wake of disaster.
Principal Investigator
Team
Contact
kmteves@hawaii.edu
Contact
grantkt@hawaii.edu
Partners
Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities Division