H79SM088049

Aware Harris - Harris County Resources for Children and Adults will implement the Aware Harris project in 3 high-need LEAs (Channelview ISD, Sheldon ISD, and Waller ISD) to address social emotional, behavioral, and mental health (MH) needs. The purpose is to develop a sustainable infrastructure where students have adequate access to MH resources.

The designated LEAs are located in the outlying parts of Harris County. They are ethnically diverse, and over 60% of their students are Hispanic. Since 2017, Harris County has experienced many adversities and traumatic events. Hurricanes, winter storms, and the pandemic greatly impacted the most vulnerable - low-income families and children. Increased cost of living, poverty, lack of resources, access issues, and political/social issues regarding immigration status make these three communities very vulnerable to MH and substance abuse issues.

To achieve this purpose, LEAs will be provided with services based on a multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS) framework which includes universal screening; MH promotion/prevention; targeted, early MH interventions; and intensive MH interventions. This project will work with families, teachers, and the school community to support their MH and make strides towards a sustainable resiliency plan. This will ultimately lead to improved student and school outcomes, decreased disciplinary actions, and better social emotional and behavioral functioning for students.

Project goals and objectives are:
1. Increase MH awareness and literacy among students, families, and school staff through trainings, outreach, and engagement.
1A. By the end of year 1, 40%, by the end of year 2, 75% of the teachers/school staff will have received training on Youth MH First Aid.
1B. By the end of year 2, 1000+ parents/guardians and community members will have attended Youth MH related training.

2. Increase capacity of designated LEAs to implement trauma-informed, culturally inclusive, comprehensive school MH systems through universal prevention and supports.
2A. By the end of year 1, all schools will have been trained in Emotional Backpack Project (EBP) and will have at least 2 teachers per school implementing it.
2B. By the end of year 1, 3 schools will have received PAX Good Behavior Game training and will have at least 2 teachers per school implementing it.
2C. By March 2024, first universal screening for each district will have been conducted.

3. Increase access to high-quality, culturally inclusive, comprehensive school-based mental and behavioral health services and supports through MTSS.
3A. By February 2024, school districts will have developed a school MH referral pathway.
3B. By March 2024, all school staff will have received training in MH referral pathways.
3C. By the end of year 5, 24,000 students will have received Tier 1, 2, or 3 services.
3D. By the end of year 5, 3,750 students will have received substance abuse related Tier 1, 2, 3 services.

4. Improve LEA policies and procedures for comprehensive school MH systems through trainings and evaluation.
4A. By the end of year 1, 75% of school administrators will have received trainings related to student MH such as Administrators Impact on School Mental Health.
4B. By the end of year 1, each LEA's school safety and crisis response plans will have been reviewed and updated.
4C. By the end of year 1, all LEAs will participate in the School Health Assessment Performance and Evaluation (SHAPE) system.

5. Build and support a sustainable infrastructure with referral pathways that will continue to meet the behavioral and MH needs of school-aged youth and their families.
5A. By the end of year 2, at least 10 collaborative partnerships will have been created to support the sustainable infrastructure.
5B. By the end of year 2, each LEA will have built a sustainability plan.
5C. By the end of year 5, each LEA will have established a sustainable infrastructure for student MH needs.

This project will serve: 2000 students in year 1, 5500 students in year 2, 3, 4, and 5; a total of 24,000 youth over the 5-year period.

County Of Harris

SAMHSA WAS GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS PRIORITY SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE THROUGH ASSISTANCE (GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS) TO STATES, POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF STATES, INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER PUBLIC OR NONPROFIT PRIVATE ENTITIES. UNDER THESE SECTIONS, CSAT, CMHS AND CSAP SEEK TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF EFFECTIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES AVAILABLE TO AMERICANS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDITIONS, AND TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE ON INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND SOCIETIES AND TO ADDRESS PRIORITY MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ASSIST CHILDREN IN DEALING WITH VIOLENCE AND TRAUMATIC EVENTS THROUGH BY FUNDING GRANT AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROJECTS. GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS MAY BE FOR (1) KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION PROJECTS FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION AND THE CONDUCT OR SUPPORT OF EVALUATIONS OF SUCH PROJECTS, (2) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, (3) TARGETED CAPACITY RESPONSE PROGRAMS (4) SYSTEMS CHANGE GRANTS INCLUDING STATEWIDE FAMILY NETWORK GRANTS AND CLIENT-ORIENTED AND CONSUMER RUN SELF-HELP ACTIVITIES AND (5) PROGRAMS TO FOSTER HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, (6) COORDINATION AND INTEGRATION OF PRIMARY CARE SERVICES INTO PUBLICLY-FUNDED COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SETTINGS

93.243 - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance

Division of Grants Management [HHS - SAMHSA]

Houston, Texas 770814502 United States

Single Zip Code

Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) Program (SM-23-001)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 327% from $1,100,000 to $4,700,000.