Saturday, May 4, 2024
5/4/2024
Project AWARE Egyptian Health Department (EHD) will formalize a collaborative partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (state education agency), the Illinois Division of Mental Health (state mental health authority), and Gallatin County School District (local education agency) to implement Project AWARE. The EHD will also partner with Gallatin County Schools (GCS) students and families to develop a three-tier public health model in rural Gallatin County. Gallatin County in Illinois, a rural county of 4,793 residents, is the geographic catchment area. Just over 1,000 children and youth live in the county, 780 of whom are in pre-K through 12th grade. There is one school district and three schools-elementary, junior high, and high school all under one roof. The county has a predominantly non-Hispanic, White population of school-aged children and youth (98%). At 1% of the population, African American children and youth constitute the largest ethnic/racial group; there also is a small percentage of children youth of two or more race/ethnicities (Census Bureau). Based on national data (Jones 2023), we estimate that 25 school-aged youth are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Gallatin County is one of the least healthy counties in Illinois (98th out of 102 counties) with 22% of the population in poor or fair health. County rates for heavy alcohol consumption (17%) and tobacco use (22%) both are higher than the Illinois averages (Gallatin County Community Needs Assessment). Compared to state averages, Gallatin children and youth are more likely to live in single-parent households (32% compared to 25%) and in Poverty (21% versus 14%). Over half of children (56%) are eligible for free or reduced lunches and 30% have limited access to healthy foods (Illinois Community Health Rankings, 2022). Data from Illinois Medicaid indicated that from FY19 to FY20 the number of children enrolled in Medicaid increased by nearly 10%, from 747 to 817. Despite, that increase, according to Illinois County Health Rankings, 7% of the Gallatin County population still did not have insurance coverage as of 2022. Average household income is $44,000 compared to the state average of $71,200. By virtue of participation in universally-accessible prevention programming (three-tiered public health model, Tier 1, children will be at decreased risk for behavioral health conditions and will develop the social and emotional skills necessary to help them succeed academically. The following specific goals will guide Project AWARE : 1) Implement and integrate the comprehensive and coordinated three-tiered public health model for advancing wellness and resilience in the Gallatin County school district and surrounding community. 2) Implement universal prevention and mental health promotion activities within the school district that address Tier 1 services and supports for all students that ensure nurturing and responsive relationships as well as high-quality environments; 3) Increase access to mental health services that are culturally competent and developmentally appropriate for all school-aged youth within the school district need tier 2 services. 4) Increase access to individualized intensive mental health services for youth in the school district who are experiencing significant distress and reduced functioning in Tier 3 and 5) Develop and implement a staff wellness program that provides supports to assist teachers.
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).
