Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced the implementation of Serving Children and Adults in Need’s (SCAN) SERENIDAD Comprehensive Behavioral Health Project in Webb County today. 

“I’m proud to have helped secure this vital mental healthcare funding. Their comprehensive mental health services will provide incredible treatment to people who are either homeless or may soon be homeless.” Congressman Cuellar, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, said. “Expanding access to mental healthcare in South Texas is one of my priorities in Congress. I’m grateful to organizations like SCAN for doing such important work for our community. I would like to thank SCAN Shelter Administrator Luis Flores and SCAN Director of Treatment Services Enrique Manrique for their dedication to this issue.”

Funding will provide comprehensive services to improve housing stability and behavioral health outcomes for adults, youth, and families with a serious mental illness who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The program aims to serve 60 clients per year, with a total of 500 individual clients throughout the five-year project.

SCAN will provide outreach and engagement strategies and implement a culturally appropriate service delivery plan. This plan will include screening for mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders (CODs), as well as case management, psychiatric services, telehealth, and integrated treatment in collaboration with medical care providers.

The project will address the needs of clients with mental health and substance use disorders in outpatient and residential settings. Evidence-based practices will include motivational interviewing, seeking safety, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and the Matrix Model.

SCAN will also provide peer support recovery services led by staff with lived experience that will include childcare and recovery housing. Clients will all be linked to a coordinated entry system to help them access and navigate housing assistance. The project will create a diverse Steering Committee composed of community partners, individuals, and family members. Members will include individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness or have experienced homelessness and are recovering from behavioral disorders.

This funding is from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Center for Mental Health Services and will be provided over a 5-year project period, including $500,000 for this upcoming year.

Dr. Cuellar has long fought to secure federal funding for SCAN in Laredo. In 2021, Dr. Cuellar secured nearly $6 million for Laredo substance abuse training projects. In 2022, he secured nearly $2 million for their HIV and Mental Health Expansion project. Last year, he secured $7.2 million for mental health and resiliency at Laredo ISD.

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