Saturday, May 4, 2024
5/4/2024
SEEDS (Strategies for Emergency Empowerment for the Delta) utilizes a three-prong approach to maximizing project reach while ensuring efficient use of funds: Treatment, Prevention, and Recovery. SEEDS will decrease risk factors for developing trauma-related mental health issues and/or substance misuse and strengthen protective factors among students who experienced disaster in Holmes County, Mississippi during April 2019 when 17 tornadoes struck the state. One death, 18 injuries and 230 damaged homes leaving tens of thousands without power. In Holmes, first responders rescued a stalled motorist engulfed in rising water. Rapidly falling timber blocked dozens of roads trapping a school bus between two trees. Due to these storms, Gov. Haley Reeves Barbour declared disaster in 22 counties including Holmes.The difference between Holmes and the other 21: Holmes was fighting for survival before the storms. SAMHSA research shows that following a natural disaster, children are vulnerable to: • Severe stress reactions: post-traumatic stress disorder, functional impairments, traumatic stress & other disorders. • Children who have lost property or loved ones may go through lengthy periods of grief, pain and depression. • Youth are at greater risk than adults of developing psychiatric and substance abuse disorders Holmes County Population = 17,999 • Pop by race: Black= 82.5%; White= 16.2% Three out of 10 of families survive on less than $10,000 per year. Moreover, Holmes County ranks DEAD LAST in health outcomes. Holmes is 100% rural AND designated 100% Health Professional Shortage Area in all 3 categories: primary, dental, mental health care. Yet, “shortage” the ratio of residents to mental health providers is 3,550:1. Holmes County Consolidated School District (HCCSD) is rated “Grade F” and struggling with academics– let alone disaster-trauma care with a student/counselor ratio of 1-to-336 –the standard is 250-to-1. Student Behavior Data Indicator: HCCSD State U.S. Out of School Suspension 13.9% 8.9% 4.7% Acts of Violence Per 1,000 74 32 13 Youth Who Report … Holmes State Youth Who Report Holmes State Alcohol use past 30 days 35.7 % 18% Not viewing alcohol/drug use as dangerous 87.5 % 43% Illicit Rx Use (ever) 35.1 % 2.7% Binge drinking alcohol (ever) 25.7% 9.9% Contributing Factors Holmes State US Contributing Factors Holmes State US Uninsured 16% 14% 6% Free/Reduced Lunch 100% 75% 32% Teen Pregnancy 86 61 20 Child Mortality 135.0 92.2 41.4 Single-parent households 78% 44% 20% Severe housing cost burden 17% 14% 7% SAMSHA says effective prevention saves $18 per $1 invested. Thus, with this $1M investment in treatment, prevention, and recovery - SEEDS will save an estimated $18m. Further, it allows us to plant SEEDS of health and wellness that will bloom in an otherwise desolate landscape.
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).
