PORTAGE, Ind. (AP): The federal government has awarded $500,000 to two Indiana health care providers to expand behavioral health services.
 
The Times of Munster reports the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the funding Thursday for North Shore Health Centers based in Portage and Maple City Health Care Center in Goshen.
 
HHS says the funding will be used to establish or expand behavioral health services for roughly 1,600 people.
 
North Shore Health Centers CEO Jan Wilson says the center plans to hire a licensed social worker at its Hammond and Merrillville locations.
 
HHS says the grants are part of $54.6 million in Affordable Care Act behavioral health funds awarded nationally.
 
It says Indiana health centers saw more than 19,000 behavioral health patients in 2013.