Friday, January 3, 2025
1/3/2025
Community FIRST (First Signs, Intervention, Referral, Support, Treatment) Vermont is a statewide collaboration between Behavioral Health Network of Vermont dba Vermont Care Network (VCN), Vermont’s Designated Mental Health Agencies and Specialized Service Agencies (DA/SSA), and Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (VT LEND). Community FIRST will: increase the mental health literacy of community members and professionals, reduce stigma, support the early identification and referral of those experiencing mental health disorders and/or substance use disorders (MH and/or SUD), and increase cultural competencies among community members and professionals supporting individuals with MH/SUD needs. In addition to general community members, targeted populations include: school-age youth, students and staff in higher education, veterans/military and their families, and refugee and immigrant (R/I) communities. To meet current demand and identified need, 38 established Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid (Y/MHFA) instructors, five new Y/MHFA instructors, and 30 new MHFA instructors will provide Y/MHFA trainings statewide certifying at least 3,600 community members and youth and adult serving professionals as First Aiders. In addition, at least 500 First Aiders and service delivery providers will be trained in Cultural and Linguistic Competency (CALC).
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).