Onvida Health receives major grant for veteran services

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Onvida Health has received a $500,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services to expand care for local veteran patients. The funding will allow the organization to strengthen and better target its behavioral health programs for veterans, specifically Native Americans.

“We look forward to serving the veterans and Native American population in a focused effort,” said Dr. Kristina Diaz, president of Onvida Health Medical Group.

According to Onvida Health, the grant addresses a significant need in the area, which is surrounded by several tribal communities. Diaz noted that many Native American patients are already being treated within the system, and the additional funding will allow for more intentional and tailored care.

“We live in an area surrounded by several tribes, and we get to see them on our inpatient unit already, and this will just allow for a more focused intentional treatment for them,” she said.

The funding will be used to enhance the health system's Inpatient Behavioral Health Center and its Intensive Outpatient Program. These services are aimed at supporting veterans experiencing service-related mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

“We were able to notice that a lot of that work aligns with work that we’re already doing in our community, but then also had the additional benefit for us to be able to increase and expand certain work that we were already doing,” Diaz said.

In addition to expanding patient services, the grant will support workforce development for behavioral health professionals. Staff members will receive additional training and specialized certifications to ensure they are fully prepared to treat veterans, particularly those dealing with trauma.

“Trauma-informed licensed mental health counselors [is the certification], so that was an added... We didn’t previously have that but [it] will definitely help support that specific population,” Diaz said.

Training for workers is expected to begin immediately, with patients anticipated to start receiving expanded services this summer.