Thursday, December 26, 2024
12/26/2024
The Sebastian County Opioid Task Force (SCOTF) , has established a proposed geographic catchment area for the Strategic Prevention Framework - Partnership for Success project. The focal point of this area is the city of Fort Smith,Arkansas which is located on the northwestern border between Arkansas and Oklahoma. Throughout this project the SCOTF will focus on reducing the onset and progression of substance misuse and its related problems by supporting the development and delivery of community-based substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion services. Our program will expand and strengthen the capacity of local community prevention efforts to implement evidence-based prevention programs. Our overall population focus will be the residents of Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas impacting 21,322 residents based on health and education disparities, limited access to healthcare, and socioeconomic status. Specific subpopulations of focus impacted by the infrastructure development, with planned prevention messaging and mental health promotion, will include: 1. At-risk youth (indicated and selected) as identified within the schools through Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT minimum 400 youth and their families will be served). Early screenings, including substance use, will help connect youth and their families to services preventing the onset and progression of substance use.2. Residents of Fort Smith that are BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC) as well as the Latino and Asian speaking communities. 3. LGBTQ plus (100 youth, individuals, families), more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience depression, attempt suicide, be harassed at school and in the community, experience verbal and physical violence, and abuse. SCOTF will create a PFS task force with data-driven strategic and action plan that includes comprehensive strategies to address substance use disorder and mental health promoti on services of the plan, as measured by ‘living’ Action Plan documentation. Additionally evidence based programs such as Life Skills, Strengthening Families and Mental Health First Aid will be implemented. Furthermore, SCOTF plans to incorporate Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) into routine health screenings administered by medical professionals and diversion counselors as well as provide SBIRT training to middle and high school staff. The overall goal is to improve youth perception of harm of substance and decrease past 30 day use of alcohol and substances.
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).