Since its inception in 1990, People USA has worked to provide services for individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse challenges. One of the things that makes People USA unique is that it uses a peer-run model – employing people who have had their own life challenges and have found their way through to recovery and wellness. This lived experience helps People USA employees to educate, support, and empower others along the road to overcoming their own behavioral health challenges.
During 2019, People USA received a general operating support grant from the Dyson Foundation to support its overall behavioral health services in the Mid-Hudson Valley. In addition, the Foundation provided mini-grant support through the Management Assistance Program. This grant helped People USA assess its programs and processes in relation to the changing ways in which health care is both provided and paid for in New York State. The goal of the mini-grant was to improve the ways the organization measures and tracks the health outcomes of its clients in order to demonstrate the value of its programs, and ultimately to make the case for reimbursement of this type of service by Medicaid and other health insurance programs.
The Dyson Foundation funding to People USA spans three funding themes: Health, Safety Net, and Strengthening Nonprofits.