Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
CNMI CHCC SOR PROGRAM - The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) Behavioral Health Services - Community Guidance Center (CGC), the designated Single State Agency for Substance Abuse Services in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), seeks to expand and enhance prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address opioid use disorder (OUD) and substance use disorder (SUD). The project aims to use a data-driven approach to prioritize resources for referrals from various clinics, the criminal justice system, and underserved areas like Tinian, Rota, and isolated villages in Saipan. The initiative will supplement existing funding to ensure positive outcomes and long-term sustainability for substance use disorder (SUD) and (OUD) services. CNMI faces significant challenges in meeting the population's health needs due to a shortage of mental health and SUD providers. There is a critical need for culturally sensitive partnerships and education to combat substance use rates among youth, which are alarmingly high. First responders express fear of administering naloxone, highlighting the urgency for education and de-stigmatization of SUDs. Stigma around mental health and SUD treatment is prevalent. The majority of clients are court-mandated, indicating a high-risk population with complex needs. Our CHCC: BHS - CGC's Addiction Services Unit struggles with high demand and insufficient peer recovery services, necessitating additional staffing to enhance service quality and reach. We will continue expanding evidence-based treatment services and increase outreach to remote islands and villages. Align prevention and outreach activities with existing programs like the Substance Use Block Grant (SUBG) and PDMP. The CHCC: BHS-CGC’s Prevention, Training, and Outreach Unit will educate the community on medication safekeeping and equip schools and first responders with naloxone. Establish a referral process to CHCC: BHS-CGC for psychoeducational counseling and distribute naloxone to patients and their families. We will implement the Matrix for Teens and Young Adults Model to bridge service gaps for transitional youth and young adults. Form a multidisciplinary team to develop personalized treatment plans and train staff in evidence-based practices tailored to this demographic. We plan to enhance our peer recovery services to meet the high demand and improve recovery outcomes through comprehensive support. Through grant resources, this project will serve an estimated 4,500 individuals through the three years under prevention activities and we propose to serve 55 individuals with treatment services in the first project year, serve 65 individuals for the second project year; and serve 65 individuals for the third project year or a total of 185 for the life of this grant. By addressing these gaps and leveraging existing resources, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC): Behavioral Health Services (BHS) - Community Guidance Center (CGC) aims to create a more robust and effective system for preventing, treating, and recovering from substance use disorders in the CNMI.
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).