Sunday, August 7, 2022
8/7/2022
Project Name – Alaska Project AWARE (APA) Project summary: APA will build upon the seminal work toward statewide school-based mental health services and broad-based mental health literacy created under its previous Project AWARE grant by piloting its successful alternative school model in traditional schools, including the first rural school. Upon completion, Alaska will have a comprehensive school-based mental health system of care model that can be implemented by any school in the state. Population(s) to be served: K-12 students in 8 schools (3 LEAs: Juneau, Fairbanks, and Bering Strait) with SED/SMI or at-risk, particularly AI/AN students and students from military families Strategies/interventions: (1) school-based behavioral health specialists; (2) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; (3) Solution Focused Behavioral Therapy; (4) Support for Students Exposed to Trauma; (5) Restorative Justice training, with name modified to “restorative practices” for cultural reasons; (6) CASEL Social Emotional Learning (SEL); and (7) Youth Mental Health First Aid Goals/measurable objectives: APA will serve approximately 2,500 unduplicated students annually/12,500 throughout the lifetime of the project. Goal 1. Increase access to and use of school- and community-based mental health services to meet the needs of more students. Obj. 1.1: One school-based behavioral health specialist (counselor) hired and trained in each of the 8 participating schools. Obj. 1.2: All 3 participating LEAs will identify and establish partnerships with community providers. Obj. 1.3: Conduct 18 outreach and education sessions per LEA for students, families and staff, to reduce stigma and increase help-seeking, incorporating cultural considerations such as the values of AI/AN, military and other cultural groups. Obj. 1.4: Increase the number of students receiving school-based mental health programming/services in each LEA to 25%. Obj. 1.5: Increase community-based service referrals by 10%, with at least 25% of referrals leading to accessing services. Goal 2. Increase the use of EBPs and other tools to improve student mental health outcomes. Obj. 2.1: Train families, community members and 100% of staff at all 8 participating LEAs, as well as school districts statewide, to increase the overall number of YMHFA “first aiders” by 3,000. Obj. 2.2: 100% of participating schools will implement at least 2 EBPs to improve school climate, safety, and the mental health of school-aged youth. Obj. 2.3: Conduct 35 monthly outreach and education sessions with school-based counselors to improve early identification and intervention. Goal 3. Build system infrastructure and capacity through interagency collaboration to increase sustainability of mental health services for students. Obj. 3.1: Conduct training and technical assistance to 100% of participating schools and leadership from all 3 districts in the expanded definition of child and youth services under Alaska’s 1115 Medicaid Waiver. Obj. 3.2: Provide samples and templates to 100% of participating schools and districts for use in developing partnerships with community providers. Obj. 3.3: Adopt at least one statewide policy for districts to implement that supports mental health and school safety.
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).
