Sunday, May 19, 2024
5/19/2024
The Wellness Coalition of Rural Linn County Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) Grant Program will: train individuals in evidence-based MHAT and de-escalation programs, strengthen partnerships, refer individuals to services, and provide resources to those referring and seeking support from mental health agencies. During the lifetime of the grant, over 12,000 people will be served. The service area includes six rural communities outside of Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Springville, Center Point, Alburnett, and Central City; a combined total population of 12, 262. The Wellness Coalition MHAT Grant Program goals are to: train Individuals to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, and how to safely de-escalate crisis situations involving individuals with a mental illness, particularly Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and/or Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED); Provide education on resources available in the community for individuals with mental illness and other relevant resources, including how to establish linkages with schools and/or community based mental health agencies; Establish and strengthen partnerships with schools and community mental health agencies to refer individuals with signs or symptoms of mental illness to appropriate services. The strategies include: identifying community partner organizations to be trained in MHAT; identifying appropriate MHAT for each focus population; identifying target populations in need; identifying licensed mental health providers and agencies to commit to receive referrals; train individuals and organizations in MHAT and de-escalation strategies; develop and strengthen partnerships; develop standardized referral and tracking mechanisms; implement messaging to bring awareness; identifying trainings and support; reduce stigma around mental health; and collecting and evaluating data. The 2020 Census Data provides data for the communities served by the Wellness Coalition MHAT Grant Program. Mount Vernon has the largest population of 4,498; including 28% under the age of 19, 14% aged 60 and older, and 3% below the poverty line. Cornell College, in Mount Vernon, is a liberal arts college with 1,074 students. Lisbon has a population of 1,924; including, 27% under the age of 19, 21% aged 60 and older, and 7.4% below the poverty line. Central City has a population of 1,197; including 26% under the age of 19, 23% aged 60 and older and 7% below the poverty line. Springville has a population of 1,265; including 27% under the age of 19, 17% aged 60 and older and 11.7% below the poverty line. Alburnett has a population of 796; including 33% under the age of 19, 17% aged 60 and older, and 6.1% below the poverty line. Lastly, Center Point has a population of 2,582 including 29% under the age of 19, 19% aged 60 and older, and 6.1% below the poverty line. The objectives (obj.) that support the goals are: Obj.1.1: the project will have 10 available certified trainers including the Program Director, in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) or another evidence based MHAT program, as measured by participation and certification records. Obj.1.2: The project will have trained 600 community members in MHFA, QPR or another MHAT evidence based program as measured by participation and certification records. Obj.2.1: provide education and resources to 12,000 community members from the communities of Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Springville, Central City, Alburnett, and Center Point as measured by attendance at informational sessions, number of resources distributed, website traffic, media campaign impressions and reach. Obj.3.1: 6 Community School Districts, MVLPD, Cornell College, Eastern Iowa Family Counseling, and Mount Vernon Family Counseling will demonstrate participation by each submitting a referral MOU and monthly referral tracking log.
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).
