Initiatives funded by a Rural Health Transformation grant awarded to New Jersey
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Talkspace, a UHS company and leading online behavioral healthcare company, today announced strategic partnerships with the New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, Inc. (NJAAP), and Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey (VNACJ). Together, they will deliver free virtual mental health support across rural New Jersey, funded through the federal Rural Health Transformation Grant, led jointly by New Jersey Department of Human Services and NJ Department of Health.
“Where you live should not be a barrier to quality mental health care,” said Natalie Cummins, Chief Business Officer at Talkspace. “And thanks to the New Jersey Department of Health, we are taking steps to bridge that gap. This grant allows us to deploy our virtual platform where it’s needed most, ensuring that youth and residents who are uninsured or underinsured can connect with a licensed therapist in less than 24 hours, regardless of where they live.”
New Jersey is facing a significant mental health workforce shortage, where about half of the state’s mental healthcare needs are not being met. That strain is even greater in rural communities, which often face additional barriers to care, such as scarcity of local healthcare providers and limited transportation options. To combat these shortages, the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, a federally funded initiative, empowers state governments to help rural communities improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the local healthcare delivery ecosystem. With a core focus on promoting innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment, the RHT Program enables states to help rural communities meet critical goals in preventative care, disease management, sustainable access, and technological innovation.
Through these grant-funded initiatives:
- NJAAP will connect youth ages 13–17 in eligible NJ rural counties* who are uninsured or underinsured for mental health services.
*Eligible counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, Warren. Restrictions are in place allowing for services in only specified census tracts in Burlington, Mercer, Ocean and Monmouth counties.
- VNACJ will extend services to uninsured or underinsured adult clients and family members (ages 18+) living in Hunterdon county and specific census tracts in Burlington, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.
Eligible participants will receive no-cost access1 to live virtual therapy sessions with licensed Talkspace clinicians, ongoing secure messaging, as well as self-guided wellness and mental health resources. Once on the platform, members are matched with a licensed therapist in less than a day, significantly expanding access to quality care and breaking down traditional barriers to mental health support.
About Talkspace, a Universal Health Services, Inc. Subsidiary
Talkspace, a Universal Health Services, Inc. subsidiary, is a leading virtual behavioral healthcare provider committed to helping people lead healthier, happier lives through access to high-quality mental healthcare. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, Talkspace offers a comprehensive suite of mental health services – including therapy for individuals, teens, and couples as well as psychiatry and medication management. Among its offerings is Tee, a standalone, clinician-informed AI mental health guide available to those 18+ for 24/7 behavioral support.
With Talkspace’s core therapy offerings, members are matched with one of thousands of affiliated licensed therapists within days and can engage in live video, audio, or chat sessions, and/or unlimited asynchronous text messaging sessions.
This publication is funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $147,250,805.85, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
1 If an eligible participant has health insurance, RHT Grant funds may not be utilized for clinician time when services can be billed to a participant’s existing health insurance.
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