Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
CHRIS 180’s Project Rejuvenation and Renew (R&R) will use FY2021 Community Mental Health Centers grant funds to address the needs of 1,000 un- and under-insured individuals with serious emotional disturbance (SED), serious mental illness (SMI), and co-occurring disorders (COD) in seven metro Atlanta counties. To offset the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, CHRIS 180 will enhance and expand access to in-person and telehealth treatment and services using evidence-based practices (EBPs) and provide support and training to improve staff retention and well-being. Population to be Served: CHRIS 180’s geographic service area will encompass seven metro Atlanta, Georgia counties: Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, and Rockdale. It will deliver in-person and telehealth services from CHRIS 180’s clinical and community-based treatment sites in DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties and at schools and clients’ homes. CHRIS 180 is a licensed, experienced behavioral health provider that will serve people of all ages. Most clients served will be Black/African-American, Latinx, and multiracial, with some white non-Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native clients. Most will be English speakers and speakers of other languages will be provided with no-cost translation services. All will be low-income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and otherwise lack ability to pay for care. Strategies/Interventions: CHRIS 180 will purchase technology to strengthen the infrastructure necessary to provide audio and audio-visual HIPAA compliant telehealth capabilities. It will hire 22.2 FTE new staff and a contract psychiatrist and 3 FTE currently on staff will direct the project, manage staff, and provide therapy. CHRIS 180 will expand its training and support for staff to address mental health needs that may have arisen as a result of the pandemic, including but not limited to trauma, grief, loneliness, and isolation. It will offer initial training and continuing education on a suite of EBPs including Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Play Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy, Trauma-informed Affect self-Regulation and Competence, Brief Strategic Family Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Assertive Community Treatment, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. CHRIS 180 will develop and provide events, self-care stipends, and other resources to address the mental health needs of CMHC staff. It will coordinate with partners to improve referral pathways and collaborate with schools to expand trauma-informed training and school-based services including assistance with student reentry. Project Goals and Measurable Objectives: (1) Serve 1,000 people with SMI, SED, and/or COD with EBPs to offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: Hire new staff and a contract psychiatrist, train on EBPs, and promote referral paths. (2) Increase access, engagement, and retention in treatment via in-person and telehealth services. Objectives: Provide telehealth technology, provide services and treatment including outreach and case management, identify and remove barriers. (3) Increase annual staff retention rates to 75% through support and resources provided to reduce impact of secondary and vicarious trauma. Objectives: Hold 3 annual events, train schools on trauma response, enhance supervision and reduce caseloads, conduct staff assessments. CHRIS 180 will serve 500 people annually and 1,000 throughout the lifetime of the project for the grant period September 30, 2021-September 29, 2023.
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).
