Grants going to area mental health agencies

Mental Health Resources of Portales will be getting a $47,900 grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development.

Grant money is also going to agencies in Fort Sumner, Tucumcari and Socorro.

Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced on Oct. 12 the USDA is awarding $110 million overall in grants to improve health care facilities in rural towns across the nation.

According to a news release from the USDA the grants will help 208 rural health care organizations expand critical services for nearly 5 million people in 43 states and Guam.

The Portales grant for Mental Health Resources will be used to buy new laptops, speakers, micro phones, webcams, and training services for staff.

The new release said the equipment and training “will ensure the continuity of health services in Portales.”

Mental Health Resources in Fort Sumner received a $76,100 grant to buy laptops, speakers, microphones, webcams, and to provide more training for staff.

The report read “This funding will ensure the continuity of services during this and future pandemic events.”