Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The MHFA Project will train adults and youth in Cape May County, NJ in mental health awareness, de-escalation, and the availability of local resources to best support youth. The focus of the program is youth mental health; emergency first responders, school personnel, faith-based groups, youth serving organizations, parents/guardians and youth will be trained to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health disorders and learn about local resources to support and treat mental health issues. This project will train over 2,200 during the grant period. This will be accomplished with four goals. Goal 1 - Increase capacity for individuals to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders particularly SMI and SED, specifically schools (personnel and students), emergency first responders, police, parents/guardians, faith-based groups, and youth serving organizations. • By September 29, 2026, build capacity throughout the county to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, utilize appropriate mental health resources, and safely de-escalate youth by training a minimum of 2,010 adults and youth in evidence-based curriculums (MHFA-Y and MHFA-T) as evidenced by sign ins sheets and training certifications. • By September 29, 2026, 50% of participants taking the MHFA-Y and MHFA-T trainings will show an increased proficiency in identifying/working with youth with mental health disorders. Goal 2: Provide TA to create policies that establish linkages with school/community based mental health to refer youth once identified as having a signs and symptoms of a mental health disorder. • By September 29, 2026, project staff will provide TA to a minimum of 5 school districts, first responders and youth serving organizations who complete any of project training to develop and adopt policies to establish referral mechanisms to increase the ability of those trained to make appropriate screenings and referrals for mental health services. Goal 3: Increase capacity for individuals, specifically school personnel, first responders and youth serving organizations to employ crisis de-escalation techniques. • By September 29, 2026, 250 two staff members/community partners will attend the Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) training of trainers to become certified trainers in LSCI, and 250 school personal/youth serving organizations will attend Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) or LSCI training to improve their ability to de-escalate a youth safely in a mental health crisis. • By September 29, 2026, 50% of the school personnel who attend the LSCI or NCI training will report being able to effectively de-escalate a youth in a mental health crisis. Goal 4: Expand education in the community about county resources that are available for individuals with a mental health disorder and how to access them. • By September 29, 2026, online resource of local mental health supportive services will be created and maintained to keep an accurate and up to date listing of mental health providers. • By September 29, 2026, attend 60 community trainings/events to promote the online 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).
