Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Pathways - PROJECT ABSTRACT Description of Proposed Program: The overarching purpose of the North Arkansas Rural Pathways Program is to implement innovative new youth-focused, peer-driven behavioral health programs, and offer youth career pathways focused on behavioral health. We have three overarching and synergistic strategic goals: 1) establish pathway programs to introduce youth to behavioral health careers and facilitate admittance into formalized training programs; 2) engage youth to develop and implement peer-driven behavioral health programming; and 3) ensure sustainability through the development of innovative, multi-sectoral approaches. Needs Program Will Address: The North Arkansas Rural Pathways Program will address the specific needs of two of the most rural counties in Arkansas: Carroll and Madison Counties. Carroll and Madison Counties are situated in one of the most remote areas of the Ozark Mountains and consist of small, isolated communities. Our needs are many and include: opioid and other substance use, elevated youth risk behaviors, behavioral health conditions, social determinants of health (SDoH), behavioral health care personnel shortages, and lack of familiarity with behavioral health care career options. Proposed Services: Goal 1 will establish pathway programs to introduce youth to behavioral health careers and facilitate admittance into formalized training programs. Goal 1 has four objectives: 1) increase youth awareness of behavioral health careers through the required 9th grade health classes reaching =300 youth each year in years 1-3 (900 over three years). 2) facilitate behavioral health care career exploration through summer career pathway intensive programs; 3) implement a formalized CHW training program with official state certification, seven hours of college credit, and a behavioral health upskill certificate; and 4) provide intensive assistance in applying for behavioral health careers. Goal 2 will engage youth to develop and implement peer-driven behavioral health programming. Goal 2 has four objectives: 1) engage youth in the YLC; 2) engage YLC to conduct a youth behavioral health needs assessment; 3) engage YLC in the identification and selection of evidence based, trauma-informed, peer-driven behavioral health programming; and 4) work with YLC and youth trained as CHWs with behavioral health certification to implement evidence-based, trauma-informed, peer-driven behavioral health programming in their communities. Goal 3 will ensure sustainability through the development of innovative, multi-sectoral approaches. Our two objectives for Goal 3 are: 1) fully engage the Primary Rural Network and SAAB members and 2) create a multi-faceted sustainability plan by month 1 of year 3. Population Groups Program Will Serve: Our target rural population consists of junior high school and high school aged youth living in rural Carroll and Madison Counties. We will implement in Eureka Springs and Jasper/Kingston school districts. The total enrollment in these two public school districts’ junior and senior high schools is 697. The North Arkansas Rural Pathways Program will focus on reaching youth in grades 7-12.
