Monday, May 6, 2024
5/6/2024
Arbor Circle’s SAFLY (Supportive Assistance for Families and LGBTQI+ Youth) project will promote wellbeing for LGBTQI+ youth within their family/caregiver and community environments. SAFLY will engage LGBTQI+ youth and their families/caregivers in counseling and support programs that aim to reduce rejection and behavioral health risks. This project will also bring together systems and community organizations that engage with youth/families to support increased acceptance and understanding, training on successful interventions and awareness of available services. The following goals and objectives are identified for the project: Goal 1: Build a referral network of first contacts with LGBTQI+ youth Obj. 1. Complete an MOU with public school districts in Kent County and Ottawa County to provide referrals to SAFLY family therapy program within 3 months of the award. Obj. 2. Obtain an MOU from local Community Mental Health in Kent (Network180) and Ottawa County (Ottawa County Community Mental Health) to provide referrals to SAFLY family therapy program within 3 months of the award. Obj. 3. Within 3 months of the award, establish a dedicated phone and email contact for LGBTQI+ youth seeking family therapy services. Obj. 4. Within 6 months of the award, train after-hours staff to receive self-referrals from LGBTQI+ youth seeking family therapy services. Goal 2: Develop a comprehensive training plan in evidence-based practices Obj. 1. Train 100% of staff in evidence-based practices by 4 months of the award. Obj. 2. Hire 2 dedicated therapists specializing in family services within 3 months of the award to provide LGBTQI+ family therapy services. Obj. 3. Offer 4 community trainings about family counseling interventions per year for LGBTQI+ youth-serving organizations and providers. Goal 3: Increase awareness, outreach and education in the community to increase utilization of LGBTQI+ family therapy services. Obj. 1. Within 6 months of the award, form an LGBTQI+ youth and family advisory workgroup of LGBTQI+ youth, parents or caregivers of LGBTQI+ youth, behavioral health providers trained in Evidence Based practices, and other community stakeholders. Obj. 2. Within 4 months of the award, develop a public awareness and communications plan using feedback from persons with lived experience to enhance messaging. Obj. 3. Conduct one outreach event per quarter to increase awareness of family counseling services available to families of youth in the LGBTQI+ community. Obj. 4. Distribute 500 flyers annually within schools and community organizations to increase awareness of the program. Obj. 5. Solicit feedback annually from persons with lived experiences on the outreach plan and impact to date to obtain suggestions for improvement. Goal 4: Serve 220 LGBTQI+ youth and their families. Obj. 1. Within 4 months of the award, assign a dedicated clinician with experience working with LGBTQI+ youth to each of the service counties (Kent and Ottawa) to facilitate referrals, plan outreach events, and coordinate service delivery. Obj. 2. Implement evidence-based services to provide LGBTQI+ youth and family counseling within 6 months of the award. Obj. 3. Provide family counseling to 220 families of LGBTQI+ youth.
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).
