Providing HOPE: UA increases behavioral health services availability for rural youth

The University of Alabama will use $3.7 million in new federal funding to expand behavioral health services to rural Alabama youth from ages 5-17 in Pickens County and surrounding areas. “Children and adolescents in rural communities are among the most vulnerable due to limited resources and limited access to behavioral health and substance use services,” said Dr. Deborah Casper, CHES associate professor who secured the funding. “Our goal is to promote health, opportunity, passion and equity through the development of sustainable, collaborative, community resources for children, youth and fami