Saturday, April 20, 2024
4/20/2024
The proposed Ute Mountain Ute Tribe COVID-19 Suicide Emergency Prevention Response Initiative (UMUT ERSP) will serve all residents living on the rural, remote Ute Mountain (UMUT Reservation, with a particular focus on targeting those at highest risk of suicide ideation/attempt, including those with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or co-occurring disorders of SUD and SMI living on the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation in Towaoc (Colorado) and White Mesa (Utah). Successful deployment of UMUT ERSP will ensure that our high-poverty Tribal residents suffering from SUD, SMI and/or co-occurring disorders and at greatest risk of suicide ideation/attempt have access to direct services during and beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis. In pre-COVID-19 times, suicide ideation/attempts, addiction and mental illness were serious and pervasive social challenges in this rural and impoverished community. The Ute Mountain Tribal Counseling and Treatment Center reported that in 2019 and early 2020, between 45% and 55% of adult Ute Tribal Members battled SUD, and typically 30% of those individuals sought help for their addiction. Approximately 10% of the population presents with SMI, and approximately half of these individuals seek treatment. n the Towaoc (Colorado) community of Towaoc (pop of about 1,000), we have had six suicide attempts (2 successful in the last year alone. The problem is only expected to get worse with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that the Reservation is in a state of lockdown. The goal of UMUT ERSP is to reduce the risk of suicide ideation/attempt the UMUT Reservation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this goal, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe will partner with the established Mógúán Behavioral Health Clinic, staffed with full-time professionals who have current and active BH LCSW and BH CAC II/III certifications registered with Colorado and Utah. Key activities will include development and implementation of a comprehensive plan and ensure the provision of direct services; screen and assess clients for the presence of SUDs, SMIs and/or CODs; provide evidence-based and population appropriate treatment services; provide recovery support services; and develop and implement Crisis mental health services, including 24-hour mobile crisis teams, emergency crisis intervention services. UMUT ERSP will carry out all required activities, and in doing so, measurable objectives include: UMUT will offer free mental health screenings and resulting referrals through telehealth technologies, reaching at least 60 unduplicated individuals during the 16-month project period; throughout the 16-month project period, UMUT and Mógúán Behavioral Health Clinic will provide comprehensive recovery-oriented services to at least 40 clients with SMI, SUD or COD; at least 65% of clients enrolled in mental health services will continue to maintain regular appointments; at least 75% of participants will not be charged or convicted as a repeat offender; at least 40% of participants will achieve and maintain abstinence from substance use; and at least 80% of clients will report increased perception of familial or community connectedness, as demonstrated through pre- and post-surveys.
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).
