Tuesday, May 21, 2024
5/21/2024
Missouri Project AWARE- MOAWARE MOAWARE is a collaboration of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH), and three Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to address the mental health needs of youth through evidence-based promotion, prevention, treatment, and maintenance practices. MOAWARE supports interventions for 21,500 students plus school personnel and family/community members living in Kansas City, St. Louis County, and Kennett. The selected school communities have significant health disparities and unmet needs for mental health professionals. Participating LEAs were chosen for their substantial community need, demonstrated commitment to improving mental health outcomes, and readiness to achieve MOAWARE goals. All LEAs build upon existing partnerships with community mental health agencies to strengthen the local infrastructure through training, systems, and direct service. Missouri’s leading experts provide technical assistance in trauma, Mental Health First Aid, social-emotional learning, and school-based mental health services. The six goals are: 1. Increase school-based mental health infrastructures at participating schools. 2. Increase capacity of school staff to employ evidence-based tools and systems of support to detect and respond to mental health issues. 3. Increase early identification of student mental health needs. 4. Increase timely access to culturally competent and developmentally appropriate interventions. 5. Increase student/family access to treatment, wrap-around resources, and services. 6. Improve social-emotional environment at schools. The central evidence-based practices are organized under local Student Assistance Programs that offer school-based mental health services by qualified professionals. MOAWARE is accelerating the adoption of universal screening, Mental Health First Aid, best-in-class information management systems, and peer support. Evaluation activities are designed around key performance indicators that link to clear, measurable objectives for each goal.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
