New Bethlehem Community Center MAPS Project (Mental Health Awareness and Program Services
FOA SM-21-007
New Bethlehem Community Center NBCC is working with partnering organizations in their effort to provide the MAPS Project. This effort will provide Mental Health Awareness Training MHAT and related referral support services for at least 1,000 mental health workers, school personnel, emergency first responders, law enforcement, veterans, armed services members and their families and other who come in contact with the citizens of greater Richmond County, in Georgia. The MAPS project, building on the success of the extensive evidence-based education that has been offered by NBCC will provide MHAT for a minimum of 200 mental health workers and other individuals annually. Instruction will be offered utilizing the evidence-based Mental Health First Aid Training Program through 8 hours training course at either the project partner locations or at the office of the company being trained. The program objectives are: 1) By the end of each project year to train at least 200 targeted mental health workers and other individuals to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, particularly serious mental illness and serious emotional disturbance. 2) By the end of each project year to establish or maintain linkages with school and community based mental health agencies to refer individuals with the signs or symptoms of mental illness to appropriate services. 3) By the end of each project year to train at least 200 targeted mental health workers and other individuals to employ crisis de-escalation techniques with the individuals they have identified with mental disorders. 4) By the end of each project year to educate and follow up at least 200 MHAT trained mental health workers and other targeted individuals about resources that are available in the community for individuals with a mental disorder. NBCC the lead agency, has been responding to the needs of at risk populations in the CSRA Richmond County area for many years. MAPS staff members will include a part time project director who will supervise the overall project, and act as the primary contact with the federal funding source. A part time project coordinator will assist with training and follow up on all referrals made to the project to help facilitate treatment and address issues. The project will also include three mental health licensed individuals to provide the MHFA Training. An independent evaluator will be contracted to collect performance data and assess completion of project objectives.