Saturday, April 26, 2025
4/26/2025
Spurwink Refugee Mental Health Project - The Spurwink Refugee Mental Health Project which will utilize Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees (TST-R) is a multi-tiered mental health promotion model used to improve access to trauma-informed mental health services for refugee children and adolescents in Maine. The project is a partnership with the Refugee Trauma and Resiliency Center at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH), United Somali Women of Maine, schools, providers, and grassroots organizations. The project will serve an average of 415 individuals per year-a total of 2,070 over five years- in Biddeford, Lewiston/Auburn, and Greater Portland, Maine. TST-R takes a social ecological approach to working with these children and youth, building systems of care that respond to their multi-dimensional needs. The initiative includes broad-based prevention and community resilience building, community-based skill-building groups for youth, and intensive home-based family therapy for those with significant mental health needs. All services are delivered by mental health clinicians and cultural brokers who assist the team and community in creating cross-cultural understanding and change.The Spurwink Refugee Mental Health Project will increase access to effective trauma-focused services for participants by improving community awareness of the trauma-related needs of refugee youth and increasing acceptance of mental health services among refugee families. Participants in skill-based groups will develop improved sense of belonging, emotional regulation and school behavior. Participants in home based TST-R will experience improved mental health and reduced stressors in their social environment and will avoid juvenile justice involvement.
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).