H79FG000281

Pennsylvania COVID-19 Emergency Response (Short Title: Crisis Support Line) - COVID-19 is on its course in Pennsylvania (PA) with significant consequences not only in the numbers experiencing the physical affects but for those in quarantine and citizens required to stay at home as well.

The physical, economic, and psychological consequences have yet to be assessed but are apparent to families in their homes with children out of schools, parents out of work, businesses closed, social distance to be respected, and concerns for the future. Anticipated is a rise in substance misuse and symptoms of mental illness, including depression and anxiety.

PA has already approved and promoted the expanded use of telehealth to reach housebound consumers. In addition, PA has implemented federal suspensions of regulations and waiver request opportunities to ensure service delivery for our most at-risk and vulnerable populations.

To expand on actions already taken and fill a concerning gap in outreach and engagement to individuals both familiar and new to our behavioral health services, we propose a Crisis Support Line (CSL). The CSL will provide direct services for isolated Pennsylvanians of all ages across the state, to address immediate issues and concerns. Individuals and families will also be screened for higher levels of assistance.

Importantly, the CSL will be available for healthcare workers and first responders at the front lines of the healthcare system, and their families, as well as individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders (SUD), or both. Warm handoffs will be made to crisis and case management services as needed, with referrals made for mental health and substance use outpatient services, support groups, etc.

CSL will provide cost-effective prevention and intervention services relieving stress on crisis and suicide hotlines and prevent unnecessary use of higher levels of care, including emergency departments. Services will be provided live 24/7 through interactive phone and video to all callers who contact the CSL.

Available will be accessible, culturally competent, and professionally trained staff who can listen and assess the caller's needs, triage calls, and provide appropriate referrals to community resources for children, youth, and young adults, adults, and special populations. Included as well will be a chat service which, while casual in nature, provides essential connectivity to isolated individuals.

The CSL will also make available valuable stress relief to caregivers whose mental health is key to the broader COVID-19 effort. CSL staff will be individuals trained in SAMHSA's Recovery to Practice Initiative and the National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care, who will advocate for callers with behavioral health needs. Trained peers will be employed, and all staff will adhere to the concepts of recovery and trauma-informed care.

We project to assist approximately a total of 4,500 individuals a month or 54,000 a year for the life of the grant.

Pennsylvania Department Of Human Services

NOT APPLICABLE

93.665 - Emergency Grants to Address Mental and Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19

Division of Grants Management [HHS - SAMHSA]

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 171011803 United States

Single Zip Code

Emergency Grants to Address Mental and Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19 (FG-20-006)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 05/31/22 to 05/31/23 and the total obligations have increased 16% from $2,000,000 to $2,327,232.