ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The NC Center for Health and Wellness at the University of North Carolina Asheville has received a $1.2 million grant for the further development of an older adult health services education program.

The three year grant was awarded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living for the further implementation of a CDSME, or “Empowering Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Program.”

The NCCHW program, “PATH NC: Promoting Access to Total Health NC,” aims to increase statewide access to CDSMEs and support older adults dealing with depression and anxiety and strengthen relationships between behavioral health providers and the network of local, state and national organizations supporting older adults and people with disabilities.

“NCCHW is very excited to receive this grant award that will build on our collaborative statewide partnerships and successes to improve systems of care and make a significant impact on the health and well-being of older adults in North Carolina,” said Vivian Gettys, NCCHW CDSME project director, in a press release.

Over the next three years, the center hopes to bring 2,500 participants struggling with anxiety and depression into the program, with at least 40% reporting improvements afterward, as well as to establish 12 new partnerships with relevant behavior, aging and disability health providers and two new ways to refer patients to them.

NCCHW aims to see 75% of partner organizations report that they are better able to serve older adults in the community following participation in “PATH NC.”

For more information about the NC Center for Health and Wellness, visit www.unca.edu/ncchw.