Summary of Project: Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) will provide mental health awareness training to 10th-12th grade students, faculty and staff in Jefferson County Schools and Tarrant City Schools, first responders, social service, medical professionals and other community stakeholders who provide services to children, youth and adults.
Population(s) to be Served: Demographics/Clinical Characteristics of Jefferson County, AL: Population 658,573; 52.7% female, 47.3% male; 53.1% white; 43.5% black/African-American; 0.3% American Indian/Alaska Native; 0.1% Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander; 1.8% Asian; 1.3% two or more races; and 4.1% Hispanic or Latino; 16.2% of people live in poverty.
Strategies/Interventions: APC will utilize the evidence-based mental health awareness training, Mental Health First Aid, to meet the goals and measurable objectives for the grant.
Project Goals/Measurable Objectives: Goal One: Increase the ability of adults to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders, particularly serious mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbances in children and youth (grades K-12) in Jefferson County, AL; Objective 1: By September 29, 2026, APC will have conducted Teen Mental Health First Aid trainings reaching 10% of teachers and all 10th-12th grade students in Jefferson County Schools and Tarrant City Schools; Objective 2: By September 29, 2026, APC will have conducted 50 Mental Health First Aid trainings with community partners; Goal Two: Increase access to mental health services for those exhibiting signs of mental illness within Jefferson County, AL; Objective 1: By December 31, 2021, APC will have established a screening and referral process for those receiving mental health awareness training; Objective 2: By September 29, 2026, APC will have hosted 15 Mental Health Awareness Training Grant subcommittee meetings with stakeholders and partners; Objective 3: By September 29,2026, APC will have conducted 10 educational campaigns to educate individuals about resources available in the community using SAMHSA's digital media best practices; Goal Three: Increase first responder skills to deploy de-escalation techniques with individuals with mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbances in Jefferson County, AL; Objective 1: By December 31, 2021, APC will have established a screening and referral process through the first responders Employee Assistance Program to assist first responders receiving mental health awareness training; Objective 2: By September 29, 2026, APC will have conducted 75 Mental Health First Aid trainings with first responders (City of Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department, City of Birmingham Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office).
Number to be Served: Annual: Year 1-500; Year 2-1,850; Year 3-1,000; Year 4-1,200; Year 5-1,200. Total Served through Lifetime of Project: 4,900