Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
The HSC- UnityPlace, Central Illinois Coordinated-Mental Health First Aid Program (CIC-MHFA) will address the needs of the Central Illinois region by ensuring that adequate training opportunities and resources exist to train 1,785 individuals in the evidence-based Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) curriculum. The Program will target law enforcement, first responders; workforce development programs for law enforcement, first responders, health care and social services; and the general public in identifying the signs of mental illness and in deescalating crisis situations. The CIC-MHFA will also ensure that more individuals within the community suffering from SMI and/or SED are referred to existing community mental health services and providers to help facilitate and aid in the management and recovery of MI and SED. Peoria County, representing the largest population in the targeted area has a rate of poverty (17.5%) much higher than the Illinois state average (11.5%). In addition, the Tri-County area comprised of Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties has high scores on both the Segregation Index and the Dissimilarity Index, both indicating high rates of segregation between Whites and Non-Whites. A 2019 Community Needs Assessment indicated that 69% of respondents in the Tri-County area reported mental health as the most significant health issue in the area. MHFA is a valuable and needed resource in the community, however funding shortfalls, aggravated further by the COVID-19 pandemic and an insufficient number of certified virtual trainers have limited the community programs' reach in the community. If funded, HSC-UnityPlace will implement the CIC-MHFA Program to train first responders and law enforcement; workforce development programs for health care and social services, and the general public and youth in the MHFA curriculum. HSC-UnityPlace will provide dedicated staffing and resources to effectively coordinate existing services, drive service expansion and increase tracking of referrals. Program goals in the first year; aim to certify an additional 378 individuals in the MHFA curriculum; with a 5-year anticipated total of 1,785 additional individuals certified through the CIC-MHFA program. This goal will be accomplished by implementing quarterly trainings for law enforcement and EMS professionals, holding annual trainings for area colleges and workforce development programs, and through coordination of existing area trainings and trainers to expand access to trainings for the general public and youth by 10% annually. The program seeks to increase attendance at trainings throughout the program life with a 1st year goal of trainings filled to 75% capacity, 80% in year 2, and 90% in years 3-5. The CIC-MHFA will work with community partners to ensure that all area individuals have access to this valuable resource.
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).