Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Of the $24 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds awarded to the Health Department for “Behavioral Health Services” projects, an estimated $990,000 is allocated for the “Vet Clinic Relocation”, and just over $23.01 million is budgeted for a new drug & alcohol rehabilitation facility.

This is according to data and information described under “Behavioral Health Services” projects listed in the 2023 Recovery Plan Performance Report issued by ASG’s ARPA Oversight Office highlighting the progress and outcome of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), awarded to American Samoa.

These public health projects will provide for additional and enhanced health services, the report says noting that this funding will allow DOH “to establish data-driven decision-making processes to assess community needs to solidify American Samoa's overall recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

VET CLINIC RELOCATION

And what is the connection or relationship between COVID-19 related recovery funds and a Veterinarian Clinic? The report, made public this week by Oversight Office to the U.S Treasury — as required by federal law — provided a summary description of the project.

The Vet Clinic Relocation project, according to the performance report, will assist with a major renovation of an existing facility that will house the Vet Clinic operation.

“The pet population plays a vital role in the mental health and well-being of the population. The current veterinary clinic is not well positioned to effectively handle the care and treatment of sick animals,” says the project overview.

“This is causing issues with families that are struggling to care for their pets,” it says. “The mental health aspect is cause for heightened concern, but the current status of veterinary care will potentially increase risk of infectious disease spread among humans that could overwhelm the health clinics and hospitals.”

The report also provided summary data that was gathered to evaluate the allocation of funding to this project:

•           76% of pet owners report that their personal health has improved as a result of owning a pet, up from 71% in 2016 (+5%)

•           87% of pet owners say that they have experienced mental health improvements from pet ownership, up from 74% in 2016 (+13%)

•           64% of pet owners have had a conversation with someone in the past year about the health benefits of pet ownership

•           36% of pet owners report discussing the health benefits of the human-animal bond with their doctor or therapist

•           22%, more than 1-in-5, pet owners have had a pet recommended for their health by a doctor or therapist

•           69% of pet owners would have a more favorable view of a doctor that discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with them, up from 65% in 2016 (+4%)

•           89% of pet owners agree that doctors should recommend pets to patients for healthier living

“As this is a capital investment for a facility, data tracking will not be readily available until the clinic is up and running,” the project overview said.

Status of the project as of June 30: Vet Clinic addendum in progress for major renovation and pending letter from Governor's Office to verify location; Pending Survey Location; and Request for Bidding in progress for local procurement process.

REHABILITATION FACILITY

According to the project overview, since COVID 19 mitigation measures such as border closures, territorial wide curfews and halting all public gatherings, “there appeared to be a frequent reporting of domestic violence cases and suicide incidences.”

“News reporting often noted some form of substance use,” it says and noted that DoH’s Behavioral Health Service collaborated with the Department of Human and Social Service, as well as other private sector organizations including faith-based organizations, “to provide a single access crisis line for the community to contact for mental health intervention and support.”

The report calls the project, the “Behavioral Health Service and Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Facility” and will provide treatment services and secured unit programs.

The intent of building a Behavioral Health Services with a Drug & Alcohol Rehab Facility in one building is to allow easy access for all key mental health services to be located in a centralized location, it says.

Status of the project as of June 30: Behavioral Health Addendum approved; Request for Bidding forms in progress to adhere to the local procurement process; and Pending Survey Locations.