University of Alabama

H.O.P.E will build a consortium of local partners in Pickens County, Alabama, and surrounding areas, to provide services to address youth mental and behavioral health (including substance use) along the entire continuum of care, including prevention, treatment, and recovery. The goals of the program are to establish new behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery services for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years in Pickens County and surrounding areas. H.O.P.E. will partner with schools to increase the capacity to screen, refer, and provide mental and behavioral health treatment to children, adolescents, and families. Prevention. We will implement online mental health awareness training (MHAT) for all project professionals and paraprofessionals. Interns assigned to target schools will receive training related to ACEs, trauma, and SU risk behavior in support of the screening process. In collaboration with target area public schools, we will facilitate the training and delivery of the FAST family engagement prevention program. Finally, H.O.P.E. will partner with local social services agencies and the faith community to link low-income youth and families to emergency services. Treatment. Interns assigned to the target schools will conduct behavioral health screenings, and will refer at-risk youth (if indicated) to one of the following treatment services provided through the project: 1) the FAST Intervention, 2) the SMARTÂ Clinic licensed CSW, 2) MSW/MFT interns working in the schools, or 3) to the Capstone Family Therapy Clinic teletherapy services. Recovery. Mentorship and support for youth and families in recovery will be provided by trained behavioral health peer support specialists who have received specialized training through an HRSA-funded program, to reduce stigma surrounding mental and behavioral disorders, and to lead support groups and other programs to promote fellowship among students in recovery.