Project Title: Citizens Memorial Hospital EMS Training Program
Funding Request: $200,000
Funding Source: SAMHSA TI-23-011 Grant
Project Director: Brice Flynn
Applicant: Citizens Memorial Hospital
Program Details:
The CMH EMS training program will enhance didactic and hands-on training opportunities for EMTs, Paramedics, and Community Paramedics who are located within rural service areas and serve rural populations. Funding will cover training expenses and training equipment that can be utilized by internal EMS trainees and be available to other rural EMS organizations who may not have access to advanced training resources including simulation manikins. Training will include a particular focus on addressing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions through trauma-informed, recovery-based care and treatment. Approximately 70 EMS department employees who serve approximately 10,000 individuals annually through pre-hospital services will be trained through SAMHSA funding. The following goals and objectives will expand recruitment efforts and educational/training resources, and achieve funding purposes to effectively serve rural populations who encounter EMS personnel.
Goal 1: Expand recruitment and training of EMS personnel who will qualify for licensure/certification standards and sufficiently meet service delivery needs.
Objective 1-1: Recruit and train 18 EMS workers including EMTs, Paramedics, and Community Paramedics through each year of funding through in-house training and online resources.
Objective 1-2: Assist all trained EMS personnel to meet state licensure requirements and standards in order to qualify for certification by the end of training.
Goal 2: Expand training and knowledge of all EMS personnel on substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders through in-house and online resources within two years of funding.
Objective 2-1: Provide 4 hours of continued training to all EMS department personnel (projected unduplicated 70 individuals) EMTs, Paramedics, and Community Paramedics through online and in-person resources to expand knowledge of substance use disorder and mental health disorders within 24 months of funding.
Objective 2-2: Within 24 months of funding, train all 70 EMS personnel to provide coordinated care services and warm referrals (including SBIRT training) to other hospital stakeholders and specialties for historically underserved individuals (i.e., home health, social work, SUD, mental/behavioral health, OBGYN, etc.)