LCAD's Comprehensive Training Program - The purpose of this EMS training project is to develop an EMS training and education curriculum for state and national replication, with a training focus on providing care for people with active substance use disorders during pregnancy. The program aims to ensure locally that the district has the EMS staff capacity to support the residents in the rural county. The project includes supporting the recruitment and training of EMS personnel, supporting courses and training to qualify graduates to serve in an EMS agency or for federal or state licensure or certification, ensuring EMS personnel are trained in mental health and substance use disorders, including use of motivational interviewing, connecting individuals who have undergone overdose reversal to treatment, and providing referrals to peer support resources. The project will also purchase Naloxone and train EMS personnel on the use of Naloxone, and ultrasound equipment, for response to emergency situations. At minimum forty-five personnel from LCAD will be trained annually on continuing education courses. Additionally, the program will provide at minimum twenty-four scholarships for rural EMS providers in Lincoln County looking to advance their skillsets with an additional twelve receiving a specialized focus of training on maternal health. Overall, the program aims to ensure the 59,574 residents of Lincoln County have access to quality care by having all levels of EMS providers serve the rural county. The number of individuals receiving education for the proposed project is to be ninety individuals. The catchment area is challenged with service gaps and barriers that include a decreasing applicant pool for future EMS workforce, an increasing utilization of EMS for behavioral health calls, the new frequency and severity of prehospital obstetric events, and an overall limited health care service environment. LCAD is partnering with the following entities: St. Charles County Ambulance District, Mehlville Fire Protection District, Missouri EMS Association, and the National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers. Each partner has extensive experience with training projects as they each have historical experience as training entities. Goal 1: LCAD’s Training Program will elevate the current EMS workforce in Lincoln County by supporting their educational goals to advance their skillsets and careers, retaining local EMS personnel with a higher scope of practice. Objectives: 1. By September 29, 2026, 90 EMS personnel from LCAD will be provided a minimum of 50 hours of continuing education units to maintain EMS licenses and certifications. 2. By September 29, 2026, 12 Paramedics at LCAD will have completed a Community Paramedic course and receive a state endorsement for their Paramedic license. 3. By September 29, 2026, 12 Paramedics at LCAD will complete a Fundamentals of Critical Care Transport course. They will receive certification at this post paramedic certification. Goal 2: LCAD’s Training Program includes a particular focus on behavioral health so that EMS personnel can respond to the increasing overdose crisis. Objectives: 1. By September 29, 2026, 90 LCAD EMS personnel will complete the newly developed training plan, inclusive of training on mental and substance use disorders, trauma-informed care, recovery-based care, peer support, Naloxone in emergency opioid overdose situations, and motivational interviewing. 2. By December 31, 2024, LCAD will develop procedures on providing a warm-hand off referral to a peer support specialist, a treatment facility, or harm reduction services. 3. By December 31, 2024, LCAD will purchase Naloxone for community distribution. Goal 3: LCAD will develop an EMS training and education curriculum with a focus on providing care for people with active substance use disorders during pregnancy. Objectives: 1. By September 29, 2025, the new curriculum will be developed and prepared for testing during Year 2.
