H79SM085579

Connect - Connecting Our Neighbors by Internet, Providing Everyone Comprehensive TX

The Connect Initiative focuses on supporting and restoring the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by COVID-19 and effectively addressing the needs of those with SED/SMI/COD located in Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pocahontas, and Webster counties in rural southern West Virginia. All of these counties suffer from COVID-magnified rates of opioid overdose, poverty, unmet mental health needs, lack of transportation/broadband, and stigma. The initiative will serve 1,175 clients (550-Y1, 625-Y2).

Project goals (interventions/strategies) are to:

1. Support/restore the delivery of clinical services impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively address the needs of those with SED/SMI/COD by:
(a) Starting the Connect Mobile Crisis Unit via:
- Executing MOUs with local first responders (Y1)
- Purchasing 4 telehealth equipped mobile crisis response SUVs (Y1)
- Hiring/training a mobile crisis supervisor (Y1)
- Hiring/training 4 mobile crisis responders and 8 mobile crisis peers to provide crisis services (Y1)
- Training 911 operators, EMS, and law enforcement on recognizing behavioral health conditions, de-escalation, CIT, and warm handoff of behavioral health crisis (Y1-2)
- Starting the mobile crisis unit (Y1M4)

2. Addressing staff mental health needs by:
(a) Initiating a program for staff gym memberships (Y1)
(b) Initiating an employee assistance program (Y1)

3. Starting rural connection hubs by:
(a) Selecting 5 rural areas in which to establish hubs (2-Y1, 3-Y2)
(b) Hiring/training 9 care navigators in Y1 (+2 in Y2) to support hubs
(c) Working with communities to select hub locations (Y1-2)
(d) Completing outreach activities in each selected rural area (Y1-Y2)
(e) Initiating telehealth capability in connection hub locations (Y1-Y2)
(f) Implementing the Connect connection hubs (Y1M4)

4. Initiating law enforcement liaisons by:
(a) Working with county sheriffs to place 2 law enforcement mental health liaisons in target county departments (Y1) (+1 in Y2)

5. Expanding SHS capacity to meet increased community need by:
(a) Hiring/training 2 therapists to provide weekend/extended service hours (Y1)
(b) Hiring/training 4 case managers in Y1 and 2 in Y2 to ensure care continuity/support zero suicide
(c) Hiring/training 2 health educators in Y1 (+1 in Y2) to assess/educate medical clients
(d) Hiring/training an IT tech to assist with increased telehealth usage (Y1)
(e) Purchasing Relias training platform to improve staff training (Y1)
(f) Initiating the LOCUS model of client treatment placement (Y1)
(g) Funding staff conference attendance (Y12)

6. Improving client outcomes by:
(a) Serving 550 clients-Y1/625-Y2
(b) Significantly improving mental health functioning
(c) Reducing substance use
(d) Reducing the number of psychiatric hospital admissions
(e) Reducing the number of incarceration days
(f) Retaining 80% of clients at 6 months
(g) Ensuring that disparity groups have equal service access/use/outcomes Y1-2

7. Sustaining Connect services by:
(a) Hiring a project director to ensure service sustainability (Y1)
(b) Hiring an evaluation specialist to support data-driven sustainability (Y1)
(c) Initiating the advisory board.

Seneca Health Services

NOT APPLICABLE

93.958 - Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services

Division of Grants Management [HHS - SAMHSA]

Summersville, West Virginia 266511125 United States

Single Zip Code

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