UNHS Healthy Transitions IBP Project - Iina Bihoo’aah (the essence of life) The Utah Navajo Health System (UNHS) proposes to implement the Iina Bihoo’aah (the essence of life) to improve the mental health and wellbeing of youth and young adults ages 16 – 25 with or at risk of developing a serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness through quick and easy access to high quality and coordinated services. The communities of focus include the Utah Strip of the Navajo Nation (UNHS Service area) and the Northern Treehouse Shelter in Shiprock, NM. Iina Bihoo’aah will accomplish the proposed purpose through a coordinated local service system that provides outreach, early identification, engagement and early intervention, treatment, and transition facilitation services. It is expected, after completion of a needs assessment, that there will be two Evidence Based Practices implemented: Wraparound and Supported Employment, and one evidence-informed practice, Supported Education. The local communities selected for implementation are both rural, designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas, with low educational attainment, and higher than state average in suicide death, poverty and unemployment rate. Goal 1: Throughout the grant period, improve the functioning of 280 youth and young adults to maximize their potential assuming adult roles and leading full and productive lives. a. By 9/30/2028, enroll 280 AI youth living on and around the Utah Strip of NN and the Northern Treehouse Shelter located in Shiprock, NM on the NN (year 1: 30, year 2: 60, year 3-4: 70 each year, and year 5: 50). b. By 9/30/2028, provide evidence-based or -informed practices to 80% of enrolled youth. c. By 9/30/2028, 80% of enrolled youth will demonstrate improved adulthood functioning. Goal 2: Improve community awareness, understanding and collaboration on mental health and issues related to AI youth transitioning into adulthood. a. For each year of the grant, youth and family advocates will organize 3 social marketing activities to improve community awareness on mental health and transition issues. b. For each year of the grant, a minimum of 300 community members will receive information on mental health and AI youth-in-transition issues. c. For each year of the grant, a minimum of 5 AI youth and 5 AI family members will be trained, coached and mentored in leadership and advocacy roles. Goal 3: Enhance organizational infrastructure and community readiness to support AI youth a. By 12/31/2023, establish a Transition Team (TT) of key tribal and community decision-makers, including young people and family members to improve organizational and community support for AI youth. b. For each year of the grant, a minimum of 30 cross system staff will receive training to improve their knowledge and skills on supporting AI youth transitioning into adulthood.
