H79SM085433

Helping Individuals Recover from the Mental Health Impacts of the Pandemic

Helping individuals recover from the mental health impacts of the pandemic will address a gap in treatment and recovery services for adolescents (aged 12-17) and adults (age 18+) with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or co-occurring SMI/SED and substance use disorders. The focus will be on people from economically disadvantaged and marginalized communities in four counties in Western Washington: Clark, Grays Harbor, Skagit, and Whatcom.

The goal of this project is to increase Lifeline Connections' capacity to provide timely access to in-person, socially distanced, and virtual intensive treatment programs. These programs aim to address the mental health impacts of the pandemic and worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions for low-income adolescents and adults with SMI/SED/COD, as well as CMHC staff. Services will be delivered in outpatient and community-based settings.

The measurable objectives of this project are as follows:

1) By January 2022, hire 5 FTE outreach & engagement peer specialists (culturally competent) to engage with LGBTQ+, Hispanic/Latino, and chronically homeless communities.

2) By the end of each project year, increase by 5% the number of individuals with SMI/SED/COD served.

3) By the end of each project year, increase by 10% the number of individuals with SMI/SED/COD who are employed with business ventures.

4) By the end of each project year, 80% of individuals served in SMI/SED/COD services will show improvements in housing stability, employment status, social connectedness, and/or abstinence from alcohol/drugs.

5) By the end of each project year, 75% of participating staff will report that the employee wellness program made a positive difference in their mental health and well-being.

To achieve these goals and objectives, the project will:

- Strengthen telehealth capabilities and security.
- Hire 3 FTE mental health professionals for the rural areas of Grays Harbor, Skagit, and Whatcom counties.
- Hire 5 FTE culturally competent outreach & engagement peer specialists to establish and strengthen referral pathways for vulnerable communities and keep clients engaged with services.
- Provide in-depth trainings for clinical staff and peers in the areas of trauma, grief, and isolation, as well as cultural competency in serving diverse populations.
- Reinstate case management services at the drop-in recovery resource center.
- Expand supported employment opportunities for individuals with SMI/SED/COD.
- Provide transportation services and other individualized supports to help clients overcome barriers to treatment.

Additionally, the project will offer youth mental health first aid training in area schools, expand the agency's employee wellness program, hire a bilingual centralized scheduling specialist for timely and equitable access to services, and hire an intern & practicum supervisor to oversee relationships with higher education institutions and build a pipeline of interns and future mental health workers.

The project aims to serve 1,279 clients in year one and 1,343 in year two, totaling 2,622 unduplicated individuals. Furthermore, the project will support the mental well-being of up to 300 CMHC staff.

Lifeline Connections

NOT APPLICABLE

93.958 - Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services

Division of Grants Management [HHS - SAMHSA]

Vancouver, Washington 986681601 United States

Single Zip Code

Community Mental Health Centers Grant Program (SM-21-014)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have decreased 30% from $3,541,042 to $2,474,510.