FSM SOC Expansion and Sustainability Project Abstract
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is an independent sovereign island nation consisting of four states spread across the Western Pacific Ocean. For SOC, the local community to be served will be in the FSM which is comprised of Chuuk State, Kosrae State, Pohnpei State and Yap State. The FSM SOC Expansion and Sustainability Project aims to improve the mental health outcomes for children and youth, birth through age 21, with serious emotional disturbance (SED), and their families.
FSM suffers from substance abuse issues, high rates of suicide, domestic violence, and child neglect. Substance abuse and suicide are common among youth, and thus, tackling these issues at an early age are critical to child wellness and children's ability to succeed. Recent data shows that suicide ranks among the top ten causes of mortality in FSM youth frequently use tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other substances and start at a young age.
The FSM as a whole, face barriers in its effort to improve service systems for young children, and efforts are ongoing to improve community linkages within the state. Importantly, FSM leadership is aware of the importance to the child of the multiple layers of relationships-with family, with outside providers, and with institutions, such as schools. FSM SOC has the following goals: Goal1: To support the implementation, expansion and integration of the SOC approach by creating sustainable infrastructure and services that are required as part of Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families Program; Goal2: To support the provision of mental health and related recovery support services to children and youth with SED and those with early signs and symptoms of serious mental illness (SMI), including first episode of psychosis (FEP); Goal3: To build upon progress made in developping comprehensive SOC by focusing on sustainable financing, cross-agency collaboration, the creation of policy and infrastructure, and the development and implementation of evidence-based and evidence-informed services and supports.
To achieve these goals, FSM SOC will implement the following culturally competent evidence based practices: diagnostic and evaluation services, intensive home-based services for children and their families, intensive day treatment services, assistance with transition from child services to services received as adults, and do other recovery support services such as the supported employment and focus effort to provide early treatment for those youth with early onset of SED/SMI.
FSM SOC plans to target the population of about 50,000 0-21 of age and those with SED/SMI, along with their families.