Wednesday, April 2, 2025
4/2/2025
Opioid-Impacted Family Support Program - Project Director: Nicole S. Wright, Director, Malama Recovery Services | Ho?okuola Hale Contact Phone and Fax: Phone: (808) 697-3457; Fax: (808) 697-3687 E-Mail: wcchc@wcchc.com Website Address: www.wcchc.com The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) has been a HRSA FQHC since 1972. Located in a medically underserved area on the island of O‘ahu, it is the largest and oldest of the 15 community health centers in the state of Hawai‘i serving 35,495 patients in 2023, 76% AANHPI, and 71% at 100% of the federal poverty level or below. The Wai‘anae Coast is an economically distressed community with a population of 47,774 individuals, ranking highest on the island of O‘ahu for households receiving financial aid and food stamps. SUD/OUD and MH concerns are at an all-time high in this community. The proposed project, Kulia I Ka Nu?u (“Strive to Reach the Highest”), aims to create a comprehensive training program to address the critical need for skilled behavioral health paraprofessionals in Hawai?i. The program aims to recruit, educate, and support trainees from medically underserved communities, providing each cohort with comprehensive education in behavioral health with an emphasis on opioid use and treatment. The existing curriculum includes didactic coursework covering key topics such as addiction science, counseling techniques, trauma-informed care, and cultural competence, alongside experiential learning through community-based field placements. By developing a workforce of trained certified peer support specialists and substance abuse counselors, the Kulia I Ka Nu?u program seeks to support families and individuals impacted by opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD). The training program will also incorporate support services, including mentorship, job search assistance, and continuing education options, helping trainees secure employment in underserved communities and sustain long-term careers in the mental health field. The Kulia I Ka Nu?u project will be housed within WCCHC’s Malama Recovery Services (MRS) program, an intensive outpatient substance use disorder treatment program. HRSA funding will grow the workforce through training paraprofessionals in the treatment of substance use disorders, especially opioid use disorder, and mental health concerns in a medically underserved community. This proposal also places priority on patient education and communication, team-based care, and provider-trainee mentorship in federally qualified health center settings. Additionally, the training program would allow extensive telehealth training to enable virtual visits in remote and geographically isolated communities. At least 30 trainees will be recruited for each funded year of the training program. These paraprofessionals will expand the current behavioral health workforce in Hawai?i to treat OUD and other substance use disorder and mental health concerns through culturally competent and compassionate care for underserved communities. Existing and new academic affiliations will be established to sustain a pipeline of students who will sustain HRSA OIFSP goals beyond the funding period.
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).