Wellstone, Inc.

Wellstone FY2021 CMHC Project - Wellstone Will Support and Restore Clinical Services for Individuals Living With a Serious Mental Illness, Serious Emotional Disturbance, or Mental Illness and a Co-occurring Substance Use Disorder That Were Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Economically Disadvantaged and Minority Groups Are a Special Focus for Outreach Efforts Because They Have Been Disproportionately Affected by the Pandemic and Are at Higher Risk for Behavioral Health Crises. CMHC Project Funds Will Be Used to Strengthen the Capacity for Telehealth, Provide Expanded Access and Reduced Wait Times for Outpatient Counseling and Psychiatry, Provide Trauma Informed Care Through the Use of Screening Tools and Evidence Based Treatment Practices, and Provide Resources to Address the Mental Health Needs of CMHC Staff. in Addition, Outreach Services Will Be Added Through the Use of Peer Navigators, Care Coordinators, School Based Counselors, and Mental Health Therapists Working With Police as Co-responders to Behavioral Health Crises. These Efforts Will Strengthen the Crisis Services Continuum Being Developed in North Alabama and Reduce Burdens on Hospital Ers and Jails. Objectives of the Project Include: Serving a Minimum of 600 Unduplicated People for Each of the 2 Years of the Project for a Total of 1200 Unduplicated Project Participants, Ensure Access to Medication for High Risk Clients, Provide Transportation Vouchers to Overcome Barriers to Care, Offer Follow Up Visits to 90% of Clients After a Crisis Intervention Service, and a Reduction of Mental Health Related Er Visits by 20%