Through SAMHSA Emergency COVID-19, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs will expand its reach and impact to provide a community based program encouraging healing through culture, family and tradition. Grant activities will be carried out in collaboration with the Micmac Education and Boys & Girls Club program, Micmac Family Health Center, and local mental health partners that address the needs of Community members and families. Services/support will be provided to 1489 Micmac Community Members. The geographic catchment area for the project is Maine’s northernmost county, Aroostook County. The largest concentration of tribal members reside in the cities of Presque Isle and several small satellite communities. There are 163 tribal households in Aroostook County.
Goal One: Reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders in the Micmac community through increased participation of Community Members and families in virtual and in-person evidence- based mental and substance use prevention, intervention and support strategies. Objective 1: By June 2020, implement evidence based prevention programming, which supports the prevention and reduction of suicidal behavior in native youth & identifies risk factors in participants and provides a variety of culturally appropriate strategies to cope with trauma; will engage 100 youth annually. Objective 2: By June, 2020, ABM will host monthly community in-person and virtual talking circles to foster deeper listening and reflection in conversation. Objective 3: By July 2020, will provide individual check ins with Community Members by SAMHSA Project Personnel.
Goal Two: Facilitate collaboration among licensed mental health agencies to support Tribal Members and families. Objective 1: By July 2020, SAMSHA Project Director and Staff will conduct a Community Needs Assessment that addresses suicide prevention, and mental health disorders. Objective 2: Program Staff will develop support plans and identify community resources and advocate needed support. Objective 3: ABM will provide transportation services for community members and families to participate in educational, employment, social and recreational opportunities as identified in their treatment as part of their recovery. Objective 4: ABM and BGC will collaborate with Aroostook Mental Health Center to implement Crisis Mental Health Services, including 24-hour mobile crisis teams, emergency crisis intervention services including psychiatric/medical assessment and where indicated, medical administration and crisis stabilization. Objective 5: Provide post-suicide intervention services, care and information to families, friends, educational, institutions, junvenile justice systems, substance use disorder program, mental health programs, foster care systems, and other child and youth organizations of youth who have recently died by suicide. Objective 6: ABM SAMHSA Project Staff will work to promote community and program resources available for youth and families online and community events.
