KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City has awarded $4.7 million in mental health grants to 28 nonprofit organizations.

“When the economy is struggling and governments face major fiscal challenges, mental and behavioral health funding can become scarce,” said Steve Roling, president and CEO of HCF. "Unfortunately, these are the times when mental health services are most needed, with many agencies experiencing an increase in demand for services. HCF is pleased to award these organizations with grants to help maintain and expand mental health services for the uninsured and underserved.”

The foundation received 79 proposals totaling $17.3 million in response to the request for proposals it announced in February.

The Kansas organizations that received grants include El Centro and Wyandot Inc., which both serve residents of Kansas City, Kan. El Centro received $150,000 to help sustain its work with immigrant women and families who are victims of domestic violence. Wyandot Inc. received $75,000 to expand the capacity of its community mental health centers.

The Mattie Rhodes Center provides behavioral health services to children and families living on both sides of the state line. The organization, which mainly serves recent immigrants who speak only Spanish, received a grant of $225,000.

A $250,000 grant to Johnson County Mental Health will help to fund its work with the Mid-America Addiction Technology Transfer Center to design more effective treatment programs for young adults with substance abuse and mental health problems.