The Native American Health Center’s Emergency COVID-19 will provide a combination of evidence based treatments and recovery support services, inclusive of Traditional Health activities, to American Indian/ Alaska Native (AIAN) with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs, Serious Mental Illness (SMIs), co-occurring SUDs and SMIs, and mental disorders less severe than SMI as a result of the COVID-19 in our clinic neighborhoods in the SF Bay Area.
The proposed project will serve 500 members over the 16-month project period. The purpose of the proposed project is to maximize and expand NAHC’s organizational capacity to provide culturally competent crisis intervention services, mental and/or substance use disorder treatment, and other related recovery support for community members and healthcare practitioners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic utilizing an integrated, holistic lens. Measurable goals objectives are as follows: Goal 1. Develop & implement a comprehensive plan of evidenced based treatment for individuals with SMI and/or SUD for individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: 1. By September 2020, NAHC will create and pilot a telehealth-focused infrastructure for behavioral health providers; 2. By August 2020, 15 behavioral health providers will be trained using a Telehealth Program Developer kit. Goal 2. Increase screening and assessment for the presence of mental health and substance abuse disorders to develop appropriate treatment planning. Objectives: 1. By August 2020, NAHC will develop a protocol on screening, assessment, and treatment planning for individuals with SMI and/or SUD; 2. By September 2021, NAHC screen and assess 300 individuals for the presence of SMI and/or SUD. Goal 3. Provide evidence-based and population appropriate treatment services. Objectives: 1. By July 2021, NAHC will implement telehealth modifications of key evidence based practices; 2. By September 2021, NAHC will provide evidence-based population appropriate treatment services to 100 individuals; 3. By September 2021, Provide mental health care to 50 healthcare practitioners requiring support as a result of COVID-19. Goal 4. Provide recovery support services to improve access and retention in treatment. Objectives: 1. By August 2020, NAHC will develop a method of providing virtual care community support groups; 2. By September 2021, NAHC will provide 100 individuals with linkages to social services via peer-level care coordination. Goal 5. Improve NAHC emergency crisis mental health services. Objectives: 1. By September 2021, 20 NAHC staff members will have received Collaborative Behavioral Therapy and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), training, modified for virtual services.