Chautauqua Tapestry will strengthen the System of Care (SOC) infrastructure county-wide and build a replicable strategic training and implementation plan in rural Chautauqua County, New York. Chautauqua Tapestry will work with New York State (NYS) SOC to ensure suitability and sustainability of project goals and grant efforts. The overall goal of this grant is to improve the mental health outcomes for children and youth, birth through age 21, at risk for or with serious emotional disturbances (SED), and their families. The design will include integration of existing programming, implementation of evidence based services, and integration for sustainable infrastructure of services and processes. Chautauqua Tapestry will work collaboratively with partner entities to ensure all required services are provided and target goals are set, met, monitored, and reported as part of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families Program; including preparing youth at risk for or with SED for effective transition to adult roles and successful experiences with the responsibilities of adulthood with a focus on a productive future.
A primary focus of Chautauqua Tapestry is to reduce disparities, with this grant focusing on behavioral health equity regardless of the individual's race ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, geographical location, and social conditions.
Families in our county face many contributing factors of health disparities including isolation, scarcity, and lack of education and vocational opportunities. According to the U.S Census Bureau, the percent of the population living in poverty in Chautauqua County in 2020 was higher than all but seven of the State's counties, with 32% of Chautauqua's children living below the federal poverty level. And according to the 2022 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Chautauqua County is ranked among the least healthy counties in New York, with only seven counties ranking lower. The impact of these disparities is seen multiple sectors, including behavioral and physical health, the criminal justice system, workforce development, the social welfare system, and school system.
This grant will address disparities and build on opportunities, in conjunction with integrating home and community-based services and supports for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families through the expansion of the current SOC. Chautauqua Tapestry's goals address current identified needs and workforce shortages through collaboration and exploration of potential coverage and support. This includes goals and objectives focused on formalizing the roles of Family and Youth Peer Support Staff in Chautauqua County and the potential use of non-licensed staff as well as utilizing guidance from the NYS Office of Professions. Chautauqua Tapestry will expand screenings and assessment opportunities and create referral pathways to evidence-based practices to meet the identified needs of our child, youth and young adults.
Chautauqua Tapestry will be the fabric to ensure the children and youth at risk for or with SED and their families are connected with resources and services, and the system of care is strong.