Building Healthier Communities: Behavioral Health Initiative

In February 2023, Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) announced 20 Building Healthier Communities: Behavioral Health Initiative grant awards totaling nearly $17 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding across suburban Cook County to address dramatic increases in anxiety, depression and substance use since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to one 2021 study, nearly half of Americans reported recent symptoms of an anxiety or depression, and 10 percent of respondents felt their mental health needs were not being met.

CCDPH streamlined the grant application process to encourage all interested organizations and agencies to apply. Information sessions and optional capacity-building workshops were also offered to familiarize applicants with legal requirements and grant application skills, such as program design, monitoring and reporting.

CCDPH received an overwhelming 140 behavioral health grant applications, totaling more than $120 million in requested funding; demonstrating the unprecedented need for mental health, positive youth development and opioid overdose prevention programs and services.

Grant Program Strategies

Communications Materials

• Press Release
• Fact Sheet