Friday, May 10, 2024
5/10/2024
The CONNECT Initiative focuses on supporting & restoring the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by COVID-19 and to effectively address the needs of those with SED/SMI/COD located in Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pocahontas & Webster Counties in rural southern West Virginia all of which suffer from COVID-magnified rates of opioid overdose, poverty, unmet mental health needs, lack of transportation/broadband & stigma. The initiative will serve 1,175 clients (550-Y1, 625-Y2). Project goals (interventions/strategies) are to: Support/Restore the delivery of clinical services impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic & effectively address the needs of those with SED/SMI/COD by (1) Starting the CONNECT mobile crisis unit via (A) Executing MOUs w/ local 1st responders (Y1); (B) Purchasing 4 telehealth equipped mobile crisis response SUVs (Y1); (C) Hiring/Training a mobile crisis supervisor (Y1); (D) Hiring/Training 4 mobile crisis responders & 8 mobile crisis peers to provide crisis services. (Y1); (E) Training 911 operators, EMS & Law Enforcement on recognizing behavioral health conditions, de-escalation, CIT & warm hand off of behavioral health crisis (Y1-2); (F) Starting the mobile crisis unit (Y1M4). (2) Addressing staff mental health needs via (A) Initiating a program for staff gym memberships (Y1); (B) Initiating an Employee Assistance Program (Y1). (3) Starting rural connection hubs via (A) Selecting 5 rural areas in which to establish hubs (2-Y1, 3-Y2); (B) Hiring/Training 9 Care Navigators in Y1 (+2 in Y2) to support hubs; (C) Working with communities to select hub locations (Y1-2), (D) Completing outreach activities in each selected rural area (Y1-Y2); (E) Initiating telehealth capability in connection hub locations (Y1-Y2); (F) Implementing the CONNECT connection hubs (Y1M4). (4) Initiating law enforcement liaisons via (A) Working with County Sheriffs to place 2 Law Enforcement Mental Health Liaisons in target county departments (Y1) (+1 in Y2). (5) Expanding SHS capacity to meet increased community need via (A) Hiring/Training 2 Therapists to provide weekend/extended service hours (Y1); (B) Hiring/Training 4 Case Managers in Y1 & 2 in Y2 to ensure care continuity/support Zero Suicide; (C) Hiring/Training 2 Health Educators in Y1 (+1 Y2) to assess/educate medical clients; (D) Hiring/Training an IT Tech to assist with increased telehealth usage (Y1); (E) Purchasing Relias Training Platform to improve staff training (Y1); (F) Initiating the LOCUS model of client treatment placement (Y1); (G) Funding staff conference attendance (Y12). (6) Improving client outcomes via (A) Serving 550 clients-Y1/625-Y2; (B) Significantly improving mental health functioning; (C) Reducing substance use; (D) Reducing # of psychiatric hospital admissions; (E) Reducing # incarceration days; (F) Retaining 80% of clients at 6-months, (G) Ensuring that disparity groups have equal service access/use/outcomes Y1-2. (7) Sustaining CONNECT services via (A) Hiring a project director to ensure service sustainability (Y1); (B) Hiring an Evaluation Specialist to support data-driven sustainability (Y1); (C) Initiating the Advisory Board.
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).
