Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
COCOPAH COVID-19 PROJECT - The overarching goal of the Cocopah COVID-19 Emergency Behavioral Health Project is to increase access to mental health /substance use treatment and recovery support services by developing a system of telehealth services to serve at least 63 members of the Cocopah Indian Tribe, a federally recognized, sovereign tribe located in the southwestern corner of Arizona in Yuma County, and 7 health practitioners from Indian Health Services Fort Yuma Health Center. The 70 individuals to be served annually will include young adults over 18 and adults with serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders (SUD), and/or co-occurring SMI and SUD and those with mental disorders that are less severe than SMI from the Cocopah Indian Tribe and healthcare professionals from FHYC identifying with mental disorders less severe than SMI. The objectives include developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment, education, and recovery support services through telehealth services; screening and assessing at least 70 clients for the presence of mental and substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders; enrolling and providing evidence-based & population appropriate treatment telehealth services; conducting intake and six-month follow-up GPRA interviews with an 80% follow-up rate; increasing change in the preferred direction for GPRA performance measures by at least 20% for at least 70% of enrollees in treatment services; increasing the number of participants receiving recovery support services within telehealth context by at least 50%; and improving retention in treatment services for at least 70% of the enrolled participants through provision of case management. Project staff will utilize the ASAM Criteria 3rd edition dimensions and philosophy of assessment when assessing individuals enrolled in the project. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy, will be used by the counseling staff under this project. Another evidenced based practice that will be used is Motivational Interviewing, an evidenced-based counseling approach that is used to help clients adhere to treatment recommendations. Wellbriety is currently used by the Cocopah Tribe for outpatient substance abuse treatment and is considered a practice-based evidence/promising practice for suicide and substance abuse specifically for American Indians/Alaska Native (National Indian Health Board). Wellbriety concentrates on the whole person, supporting personal awareness, growth and development, positive self-image and talk, and incorporates the teachings of Native culture into everyday life. Wellbriety is a way of life and involves committing to a life of wellness and healing every day. The program consists of 24-36 sessions, held twice a week for 1.5 hours and includes support groups (e.g. talking circles, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous). The Cocopah COVID-19 Emergency Behavioral Health Project will also develop and implement crisis mental health services staffed by the project’s counselors and in collaboration with Tribal Police and existing tribal warm line providers and Arizona Complete Health.
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).