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The Health in Action Project at Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center will reduce disparities for persons with SMI/SED and complex health needs by improving access and availability to behavioral/primary healthcare. The project will serve 1000 persons by delivering coordinated and integrated services with a focus on: management of hypertension, obesity and diabetes; and LGBTQ persons at risk for: suicide, depression, anxiety and substance use. The population of focus are Somerset County residents in need of behavioral health services including veterans/armed forces members who experienced complex trauma. The project will focus more specifically on persons with serious mental illness and severe emotional disturbance with complex health needs including obesity, diabetes and hypertension and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) persons who encounter stigma, bias and discrimination in their daily lives and are at increased risk for suicide, anxiety, depression and substance use. The Project will reduce disparities among persons who are cost burdened, uninsured or Medicaid/Medicare recipients by integrating recovery supports, case management, 24/7 crisis intervention and stabilization and health education in community-based settings which will improve the health outcomes for the population of focus. Project goals include: increasing availability and accessibility to care through meeting new CCBHC criteria, prioritizing hypertension, obesity and diabetes to prevent adverse health outcomes and improve service delivery to address depression, anxiety, suicide and substance use impacting LGBTQ persons. Project objectives include: developing and executing collaborating organization partnerships, instituting person-centered treatment plan meetings, expanding addiction medication management by hiring an Advanced Practice Nurse - Addiction Specialist, mitigating suicide risk and improving care to create an inclusive environment for LGBTQ persons by reviewing policy, documentation, language (CLAS) and implementing staff training through consultation. The Project will implement evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Nutrition and Exercise for Wellness and Recovery, Zero Suicide Protocol, AFFIRM and health education and outreach delivered by the Nurse Health Educator, Peer Specialists and Bilingual Integrated Case Manager. The Health in Action Project at Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center is necessary due to the unprecedented demand for integrated services by the population of focus. Service capacity of the existing integrated model must be expanded to address the complex needs of the population of focus to improve availability, accessibility and affordability of comprehensive care.

Places for People (PfP) is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) that, in 2022, served over 3,000 residents of St. Louis (STL) County and STL City, Missouri. Our GROWTH Project (Generating Recovery-Oriented Well-being Treatment services for Health equity) will support our continued compliance with CCBHC criteria and facilitate the delivery of a comprehensive array of behavioral health care coordination, targeted case management, and treatment services for people across the lifespan with SED, SMI, SUD, or COD. Although improvements to our CCBHC staffing, CQI, and data management processes will benefit all served by the CCBHC, we anticipate enrolling 1,000 new clients into treatment services over the four-year span of the project (Y1: 225; Y2: 250; Y3: 250; Y4: 275). In this project, we devote special effort in engaging and delivering culturally appropriate and acceptable evidence-based practices for people who are black/African American and those of diverse sexual orientation or gender identify. In the catchment area, these group experience disparities in access to healthcare and health outcomes related to overlapping forms of discrimination, stigma, and violent victimization. The specific goals of the project are to: (a) ensure that the services we provide to people with SMI, SED, SUD, and COD are trauma-informed and responsive to community needs; (b) improve agency infrastructure by enhancing EHR systems to better facilitate care coordination and implement more widespread measurement-based care; (c) guarantee continued compliance with the model to ensure sustainability of core CCBHC services; and (d) demonstrate positive gains in clients' clinical and recovery outcomes through engagement in comprehensive behavioral health services.

Prosumers International and Austin Mental Health Community implement the Texas Empowerment Initiative - training and leadership development project. It will train people with lived experience of mental health issues by providing resiliency and recovery workshops, training to serve on CCBHC boards, enhanced certification training for people wishing to be certified mental health peer specialists, and leadership development. This project focuses on people receiving services in the public mental health system in Texas, which is made up of 39 CCBHCs. This project continues the development of the mental health peer specialist workforce, leadership development of mental health peers, and advocacy for peer-run organizations. We will implement an enhanced certification process pilot to support people who complete the Mental Health Peer Specialists Certification training. The pilot will include supervision for the required 250 practice hours, as well as a review of skills and tools presented in the curriculum three months after their certification. They will be followed for a year after receiving their two-year certification to evaluate job satisfaction and retention. Retention of the peer workforce is an ongoing challenge. The goal is to increase retention of the workforce and to encourage those who wish to become leaders in the field and mentor them. The original cohort will consist of ten people. Additionally, we will be developing training and support for people with lived experience serving on Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) boards and advisory committees. This is designed to increase the voice of people receiving services at decision-making tables while ensuring fidelity to CCBHC standards. Three CCBHCs will be asked to participate and are asked to identify three to five people they serve to be trained and mentored to serve on their board or advisory committee. Focus for Life, a workshop that has proved effective in supporting people throughout their recovery journey, will be offered to people who are ready for their life to be different, regardless of what they know about recovery or where they are on the journey. People who would like to explore a possible career as a mental health peer specialist will be encouraged and mentored to develop their recovery, skills, and knowledge about the field. A minimum of 45 people will complete the workshop. Participants throughout the project initiatives will be included, if they wish, in ongoing advocacy efforts to raise awareness and support for autonomous peer-run programs. These programs ensure fidelity to peer values, ethics, and national practice guidelines. The advocacy efforts are designed to impact the entire system and further the implementation of recovery-based, trauma-aware psychiatric services in Texas.

The Compassionate Crisis Care Network provides an alternative peer-designed and peer-led crisis prevention and recovery support program that combines in-person peer recovery support and clinical services provided via telehealth. The program target adults who are at risk for mental and behavioral health crisis or need post-crisis support. The goal of this project is to build the capacity of the Network and expanding its reach to more underserved communities across Virginia. Statewide data on individuals who received services from the public outpatient behavioral health system in 2023 indicates that the target population is about 47% female and 53% male, and 56% white, 27% black or African American, 2% Asian, 4% more than one race, and 11% other or unknown race. Service recipients also are 61% unemployed, 73% receiving Medicaid, and 14% uninsured. Among adults, mental health services represent the highest need with 36% of individuals served followed by ancillary services (29%), emergency services (16%), substance use services (10%), and developmental disability services (9%). Statewide data on the general public indicates that 11% are Hispanic or Latinx, 17% speak a language other than English at home including 8% who speak Spanish, and 6% are LGBTQ+ including 0.5% who are transgender. In 2022, the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found that the number of individuals with mental illness is increasing, particularly serious mental illness. The primary challenge faced by the public behavioral health system is workforce shortages and they significantly impact individuals who are at-risk for crisis and need immediate access to services. Individuals who are racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+, justice involved, homeless, and live in rural communities face additional barriers, including distrust of government and cultural stigma. The Compassionate Crisis Care Network provides an alternative crisis prevention and post-crisis support program for individuals to who do not want to pursue traditional clinical services. The Network is directed by Strength In Peers, a Recovery Community Organization (RCO), and composed of RCOs and clinical treatment partners. RCOs are independent peer-run organizations and espouse unique values, culture, and practices and provide alternative services to traditional treatment that enhance the overall system of care. They often can engage individuals in recovery services who may otherwise refuse care at other facilities. The Network also provides RCOs Medicaid reimbursement for peer support services through the partnerships with clinical providers. The project’s objectives are to: 1) develop the Network’s bylaws and a 3-year strategic plan; 2) recruit at least two new RCOs and one new clinical partner to join the Network and train them to implement the Network program; 3) recruit at least four advisory group members to lend input into services, quality, and accessibility; 4) conduct at least 3 presentations to crisis and emergency service providers and develop a webpage to provide education on trauma-informed crisis care, peer-run evidence-based practices, crisis resources, and Network services; 5) conduct an initial and a 12-month follow-up Fidelity Assessment Common Ingredients Tool assessment with each of the Network’s 5 RCOs to identify changes in fidelity to evidence-based peer-run practices after implementing the Network’s program and Medicaid billing; 6) develop a peer-designed curriculum in compassionate crisis response services and train at least 30 CPPRs; 7) develop a peer-designed curriculum in whole health integrated models of care and train at least 30 CPRSs; 8) develop recommendations for how Virginia can better align Medicaid regulations and other state funding to support peer-run evidence-based practices; and 9) provide training to at least 25 CPRSs on how to adhere to peer-run evidence-based practices while billing Medicaid or working for a clinical facility.

Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon (MHAAO), a peer-led nonprofit, proposes to strengthen the capacity of statewide mental health peer-led organizations to partner with state efforts to improve mental health system and related services. This will be accomplished through the Growing Oregon Peer Leaders (GOPL) statewide consumer network, a cohort-based collective that will provide training, technical assistance, mentorship, networking, and capacity building development to emerging and current mental health peer leaders statewide. The Growing Oregon Peer Leaders Collective proposes to strengthen the voice, reach, capacity, diversity, sustainability and authority of peer-run organizations and peer-delivered services providers in Oregon through a variety of technical assistance and capacity-building services. Through the strategic support and development of mental health peer leaders across Oregon, MHAAO will provide technical assistance and services to maximize impact. By focusing on leadership development, the GOPL Collective can ensure a broad reach with its award. With GOPL by their side, the peer leaders trained, developed, and supported through the GOPL series will be well positioned to build and/or enhance the infrastructure, capacity, advocacy efforts, and sustainability of their peer-led organizations and respective communities. The GOPL Collective specifically focuses on supporting the growth and development of emerging and experienced mental health peer leaders who can then sustainability work within their local communities in culturally-responsive ways. Through the promotion of activities related to fostering leadership and management skills with mental health peers and peer-led organizations, the GOPL Collective project will enhance participation, voice, leadership, and empowerment of individuals with lived experience across Oregon to effect systems change and improve the quality of mental health services. Every stage of this project will be informed by and engaged with individuals with lived experience of serious mental health challenges. MHAAO will offer technical assistance sessions to increase peer leadership capacity, connection, and workforce development across Oregon. Utilizing a cohort model, project staff will work closely with 10 GOPL Leadership members annually. Prospective candidates will apply through an application process developed by the GOPL Committee and staff. Applications shall be reviewed through an objective process by the Committee with care taken to mitigate bias, such as assigning code numbers to applicants and removing identifying information. Monthly office hours, quarterly leadership institute sessions, and as-needed support and resource connection to engage in work locally will be provided through a collaborative process facilitated by GOPL. At least six of the ten annual GOPL cohort leaders will identify as members of marginalized and underserved communities (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Veteran, person with a disability, etc.). In partnership with compensated peer subject matter experts and leaders, workshops and sessions will be provided to the GOPL cohorts. This will be a collaborative project between MHAAO, peer mental health leaders, and providers in coordination with state efforts at the Oregon Health Authority Office of Recovery and Resilience. The central goal of the project is to increase peer voice, participation, and leadership throughout the state to more effectively serve vulnerable communities in ways that are peer-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and equity-centered.

PSAND Statewide Consumer Network Program Project Abstract The purpose of PSAND Statewide Consumer Network Program Project is to strengthen the capacity of North Dakota's peer-led organizations to develop collaborative efforts with the state to improve mental health support system and related services for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) or serious emotional disturbance (SED) as agents of transformation. To accomplish the first goal to enhance participation, voice, leadership, and empowerment of individuals with lived experience statewide to effect systems change and improve the quality of mental health services, the following, summarized objectives were identified: 1) Implement an Advisory Board to inform project initiatives, 2) Develop peer’s ability to use their live experience and stories to effect system change, and 3) Create a peer speakers bureau to develop leadership skills and increase awareness of the peer role. To accomplish the second goal to facilitate access to evidence-based and peer-delivered mental health practices, the following, summarized objectives were identified: 1) Participate in conference and community events, 2) facilitate the development of statewide standards for peer practice, 3) create an online statewide peer resource directory, and 4) establish an evidence-base peer resource directory. To accomplish the third goal enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities within mental health services and mental health peer support providers across the state related to recovery, peer support, and peer engagement/empowerment, the following, summarized objectives were identified: 1) Develop regional peer networks to support ongoing peer training and development, 2) Grow the Lunch and Learn sessions to increase volume of training topics to meet peer’s needs, and 3) Facilitate knowledge and skill exchange between peer workers and partners. To accomplish the fourth goal to emphasize and build leadership within peer-led organizations in communities across the state and through partnerships and collaboration with allied stakeholders, the following, summarize objectives were identified: 1) Train peers to facilitate peer support groups, 2) develop an annual Summit to bring together stakeholders, and 3) build Connections for peers to benefit from one another’s experiences and skills. To accomplish the fifth goal Build infrastructure, capacity, and sustainability of statewide peer-led organizations, the following, summarized objectives were identified: 1) Create a PSAND board recruitment and development plan, 2) Offer training to peer-led organizations to strengthen their organizations, and 3) Offer training to health system professionals to inform on evidence-based peer recovery practices. To accomplish the final goal to promote activities related to fostering leadership and management skills with mental health peers and peer-led organizations; engaging individuals with lived experience of severe mental illness, the following, summarized objectives were identified: 1) Train peers on professional leadership skills and 2) Offer trainings related to diversity, cultural responsiveness, and specific populations of focus.

Montana's Peer Network's Peer Advocacy, Change, and Empowerment (PACE) Project will increase the ability of people with lived experience of mental illness or co-occurring disorders to influence the mental health system and recovery supports in communities throughout Montana. MPN will also build its capacity to provide education, training, and presentations by leveraging the lived experience of staff, Board of Directors, and statewide membership. The main goals of this project include 1) Increasing voice, leadership, and advocacy efforts for people with lived experience of mental illness or co-occurring disorders; 2) Educating members, people with lived experience of mental illness or co-occurring disorders, and the general public on person-centered, recovery-oriented services; 3) Increase MPN staff and Board of Directors knowledge, voice, and influence in the mental health system; and 4) Increase integration of recovery and wellness principles for people in recovery. To meet these goals, MPN will create in-person and virtual training opportunities, outreach materials, and publications designed for people with lived experience of mental illness or co-occurring disorders. MPN will also equip people with the skills necessary to participate in advisory and advocacy activities throughout the state. MPN will determine the effectiveness of these approaches through pre and post training surveys and evaluations and questionnaires about involvement in advisory and advocacy activities. MPN will also collect demographic and social determinants of health information to ensure that we are providing opportunities for a wide variety of members, inform additional training topics, and focus on the most pressing social determinants.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Kansas (NAMI KS) will enhance the capacity and infrastructure of mental health services in Kansas through the SCN/JIS project. The project will maintain, expand, and improve sustainability of the statewide consumer network for adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) by increasing access to peer support services, education, and statewide peer leadership with a focus on rural communities and incarcerated individuals. According to state reports, Kansas is home to over 143,000 adults with SMI. Many of these adults live in rural areas with limited support for SMI and face barriers like waiting lists, transportation, and insurance or financial issues. The current project will allow NAMI Kansas to deliver NAMI signature programs to approximately 3,000 consumers with SMI throughout the state each year via law enforcement education (NAMI Sharing Your Story with Law Enforcement-SYSLE), recovery support (NAMI Connection Support Group), recovery programming (NAMI Peer-to-Peer-P2P), and advocacy training (NAMI Smarts for Advocacy). Over the full three years of the project, approximately 9,000 total consumers will be served. NAMI KS will also convene the Kansas Peer Alliance Network (K-PAN) to finalize and implement the Peer Engagement Plan (PEP) to address high incarceration rates of adults with SMI in Kansas. The following is a condensed summary of the project goals and objectives. 1. Increase engagement of individuals with SMI in peer support organizations/groups. A. Train 10 new SYSLE presenters. B. Train 15 new Connection leaders for rural communities and correctional facilities. C. Host 100 additional Connection groups in rural communities and correctional facilities. D. Train 10 new P2P leaders for rural communities and correctional facilities. 2. Increase engagement of individuals with SMI in peer support leadership training. A. Add Connection groups to 1 new correctional facility and 3 new county jails. B. Add P2P classes to 1 new correctional facility and/or community corrections agency. C. Host Connection groups at a total of 4 correctional facilities and 7 county jails, community correction agencies, and/or short-term hospitalization centers. D. Host P2P classes at 4 correctional facilities and 7 county jails, community correction agencies, and/or short-term hospitalization centers. 3. Increase opportunities for individuals with SMI to participate in local & state leadership. A. Train 50 additional peer advocates in NAMI Smarts for Advocacy. B. Organize a rally for Peer Advocates at Mental Health Advocacy Day each year. C. Recruit & nominate peer advocates for the NAMI KS Advocacy Committee D. Recruit 20 NAMI signature program leaders for state leadership roles 4. Reducing future incarceration for individuals with SMI. A. Convene the K-PAN and develop organizational charter. B. Finalize and implement the Peer Engagement Plan. C. Facilitate K-PAN feedback on implementation of the Peer Engagement Plan. D. Facilitate community feedback on implementation of the Peer Engagement Plan. E. Document and evaluate Peer Engagement Plan results and findings.

The Nebraska Coalition for Peer Delivered Services (NCPDS) Project is aimed to significantly enhance mental health outcomes for underrepresented and underserved populations across Nebraska. With a focus on the entire state, particularly rural areas, the project is set to serve an estimated 113,186 adults and 27,050 children suffering from Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), respectively. The demographic focus extends to rural community residents, ethnic, racial, and cultural minority groups, LGBTQIA2S+ communities, veterans, and individuals previously involved in the criminal justice system, addressing the acute disparities in mental health service accessibility and delivery. In collaboration with state mental health agencies, NCPDS seeks to close critical service gaps by implementing a multifaceted approach that includes evidence-based training for peer support specialists, integration of Whole Health Peer Support models, and development of recovery-oriented services tailored to the specific needs of Nebraska's diverse population. Our goals are to build capacity within peer-led initiatives, empower peer voices in policy planning, enhance the mental health workforce through training and leadership, and promote person-centered, recovery-oriented services. Annually, the project aims to directly benefit over 30 peers through training programs to significantly elevate the standard of mental health care for all participants throughout the project's duration. Building on this commitment, NCPDS will directly address the significant disparities in mental health services by leveraging the expertise of the Wellbeing Initiative Inc. (WBI) and partnering with local organizations. The initiative's measurable objectives include the training of 40 mental health professionals and the establishment of at least 5 new partnerships for policy development by the end of Year 1, enhancing integrated care models in a minimum of 2 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) by Year 2, and significantly improving access to mental health resources for the projected number of individuals served annually and over the life of the project. At least 70 individuals (30 peers + 40 professionals) will receive specialized training annually, totaling 210 individuals during the entire project. This concerted effort, rooted in peer support and tailored to the unique cultural and clinical characteristics of Nebraska's population, promises a scalable, sustainable model for enhancing mental health outcomes across the state. By fostering community involvement, enhancing service delivery, and promoting inclusivity, the NCPDS project takes a pivotal step towards a more equitable mental health care system in Nebraska, reflecting a holistic approach to addressing the needs of its communities.

CASES seeks support from the SAMHSA Statewide Consumer Network Program (SCN) to scale the New York Justice Peer Initiative (JPI) statewide with a focus on 1) building a community and movement of statewide Justice Peers-people with lived experience of both the CLS and behavioral health treatment system who are working to support others with similar lived experience; 2) expanding the certified Justice Peer workforce across New York for the delivery of criminal legal system (CLS)-specialist mental health and related support and treatment services; 3) empowering Justice Peers to engage in and lead program as well as policy development and implementation; and 4) creating opportunities, including through partnering in New York City and New York State government partner efforts, to strengthen services for and recovery among CLS-impacted people with serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED), including to reduce the criminalization of mental illness. JPI was established in 2020 through the collective efforts of a coalition of Justice Peers, government stakeholders, nonprofit organizations employing peers in direct service programs serving people impacted by involvement in the CLS, and allies including advocates and educational institutions. JPI seeks to empower underserved and under-represented consumers, including those from ethnic, racial, or cultural minority groups and/or sexual orientation and gender minority individuals and is dedicated to promoting activities that enhance and expand Justice Peer leadership, voice, and engagement through mutual support, professional development training, State mental health system workforce certification, employer technical assistance including to build career ladders, and movement building focused on policy efforts to center Justice Peer leadership, voice, and engagement in transformation of the CLS and mental health systems. Over the past four years, JPI has engaged more than 1,500 Justice Peers, government stakeholders, nonprofit Justice Peer employers, and allies in New York City. The proposed SCN project seeks to scale JPI statewide, prioritizing non-New York City counties ranking among the top five in racial disparities in which residents are incarcerated and/or in per capita incarceration rates, including Albany, Chemung, Genesee, Monroe, Ontario, Schenectady, Sullivan, and Tioga, while continuing work in New York City. There are five goals for this project: 1) Build JPI capacity from a New York City-focused initiative to a true Statewide Justice Peer Network; 2) Increase Justice Peer Training across New York, including engaging 285 people in State-certified Justice Peer training to expand the Justice Peer workforce in behavioral health and related CLS services, while providing technical assistance to government agencies and nonprofit organizations in the integration and advancement of the Justice Peer Workforce; 3) Train 225 Justice Peers statewide to engage in policy and advocacy efforts and strengthen statewide partnerships for Justice Peer integration in service design and policy development and implementation (e.g., increase the number of people with lived experience involved in ongoing mental health-related planning and advocacy activities); and 4) Enhance the capacity of New York State peer-led organizations, including through the development of a peer-led operational excellence guide. Throughout the grant period, JPI will engage 900 individuals across New York State (250 in year 1, 300 in year 2, and 350 in year 3), empowering Justice Peer leadership to drive transformative change in the State's mental health services and criminal legal system.

Program Abstract: National Alliance on Mental Illness Nebraska (NAMI Nebraska) – SAMHSA Statewide Family Network The National Alliance on Mental Illness Nebraska (NAMI Nebraska) proposes the SAMHSA Statewide Family Network program to address the critical shortage of mental health services for families caring for young people with serious emotional disturbance (SED) or cooccurring disorders (COD) in Nebraska. Currently, the state faces a severe lack of resources, with 88 out of 93 counties experiencing a shortage of behavioral health providers, and 29 counties with no services at all. This lack of access is further compounded by challenges like long waitlists, affordability concerns, and stigma surrounding mental health. Nebraska is also grappling with increasing rates of serious mental illness (SMI), suicide, and unmet healthcare needs. For example, 18.4% of Nebraska children have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10-24. Through the SAMHSA Statewide Family Network program, NAMI Nebraska aims to address these issues by enhancing the capacity, infrastructure, and sustainability of mental health services for families across the state. The program will focus on increasing access to evidence based family support services such as Family Support Groups, Family Presentations on Lived Experience, Family-to-Family Educational Classes, and NAMI Smarts for Advocacy. NAMI Nebraska's goal is to empower 500 additional family members annually, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the mental health system and advocate for their loved ones. A key focus of the program will be on actively engaging families from underserved and under resourced communities to ensure their needs are addressed and their voices are heard. By the end of the project, NAMI Nebraska anticipates serving approximately 1,500 unduplicated consumers, ultimately strengthening family support networks and improving mental health outcomes for young people in Nebraska. This project aims to empower and connect families raising children with serious emotional disturbance (SED) or co-occurring disorders (COD). It focuses on underserved communities by increasing access to evidence-based programs and advocacy training. The project will achieve this through several initiatives: 1) Expanding NAMI signature programs: This includes creating new family support groups, educational classes, and presentations specifically targeting underserved communities. Bilingual support materials and training will also be offered. 2) Strengthening advocacy skills: Trainings will equip families with the knowledge and tools to advocate for system change and represent their voices in policy decisions. 3) Promoting leadership: The project will train family members from diverse backgrounds for leadership roles within NAMI affiliates and state advisory boards. Enhancing collaboration: Partnerships with other organizations will provide comprehensive support services, including trauma-informed care, legal aid, and access to mental health professionals. Overall, the project strives to improve access to resources, amplify the voices of families, and ultimately, create a more supportive environment for families raising children with SED/COD in Nebraska.

Parent Support Network of Rhode Island (PSN) will serve as the Statewide Family Network for children, youth and young adults with mental health and co-occurring disorders and their families in RI. PSN will strengthen our diverse family and youth leadership and staff capacity to promote policy and practice change to reduce disparities and promote health equity by strengthening our family and youth peer support leadership and workforce. This Children's Behavioral Health Equity -Statewide Family Network Project will focus on the following goals and activities. Goal 1: Strengthen PSN staff capacity to coordinate the delivery of peer-to-peer caregiver and youth support, family/parent, youth, and young adult educational workshops and produce electronic and printed educational materials, with a focus to engage underserved communities, in Spanish, and other languages to over 1000 families and youth statewide annually and 3000 over 3 years. PSN will utilize our family support partners who are certified community health workers to delivery individualized services; hold ongoing family and youth support groups; workshops; and provide electronic Spanish and English Newsletters and monthly updates. We will continue to advocate for needed respite care. Goal 2: Enhance diverse family and youth voice and empowerment, and annually, have 50 statewide family, youth leaders and family peer staff participate in behavioral health policy development across the state impacting children, youth and transition age young adults with behavioral health and their families. Provide leadership treatment to families and youth to participate on state policy and advisory boards; recruitment and mentor these leaders to participate on the boards; advocate for increased family peer support provider capacity; and participate in national and state meeting and conferences. Goal 3: Increase the skills, knowledge, and credentials annually, of 75 statewide family and youth staff and interns representing the parent/family peer support workforce to deliver effective, evidence based, and trauma informed practices, leadership, building upon our family/caregiver driven wraparound approach with underserved populations. Provide ongoing training for peer support workforce; promote self-care with wellness sessions to decrease burn out and vicarious trauma; partner with mobile crisis and advocate for ongoing peer support beyond crisis intervention; education on supportive employment and non-traditional pathways to employment; and partner with other family, youth, adult organizations, and veterans.

The Mountain State Parents Children and Adolescent Network (MSP-CAN) Statewide Family Network (SFN) will engage with family members/primary caregivers who are raising children, youth, and young adults with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and/or co-occurring disorders (COD). The SFN serves all 55 counties in West Virginia. The SFN has the need for increased capacity to implement, sustain, and improve effective mental health service infrastructure to more effectively respond to and meet the needs of family member/primary caregivers who are raising children, youth, or young adults with SED/COD, including those who are underserved or under-resourced. Program goals are to: 1) Enhance family/caregiver participation, voice, leadership, and empowerment statewide to effect systems change and improve the quality of mental health services; 2) Enhance knowledge/skills/abilities of family/caregiver support providers and facilitate access to evidence-based and promising family/caregiver peer delivered practices; and 3) Emphasize and build family/caregiver leadership within family/caregiver-controlled organizations and in communities across the state, and through partnerships and collaboration with allied stakeholders. MSP-CAN is a family-controlled organization, with a Board of Directors comprised of 67% family members/primary caregivers who are currently raising a child with SED. Project staff are the Project Director, Parent Coordinator, and Outreach Coordinator. MSP-CAN has Letters of Commitment from the West Virginia Behavioral Health Planning Council; WV Department of Human Services’ Bureau for Behavioral Health; Wirt County Family Resources; and the WV Association for Disability Employment. West Virginia has high rates of poverty (27.9% of individuals living below poverty level and 18.2% of individuals receiving food stamps/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits) and low rates of education attainment (only 24.8% of the population over 25 years has a Bachelor’s degree or higher) – which combine to impact the prevalence of children with SED (Census 2020). West Virginia ranked 42nd overall in the 2023 State of Mental Health in America report, indicating that youth in the state have a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. Nearly 18% of youth in WV experienced at least one Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in the past year, and 13% experienced at least one Severe MDE (2023 State of Mental Health in America). Children and youth who experience adversity have an increased likelihood for developing mental health problems that may lead to SED, such as anxiety, depression, aggression, substance use disorder, and more. (American Psychological Association.) 27.8% of high school youth and 31.9% of middle school youth in the state report that they have seriously considered suicide (CDC 2021). West Virginia faces other unique factors contributing to SED for youth, including high levels of substance use disorder, foster care placement, and homelessness. WV has the highest drug overdose mortality rate in the nation, at 90.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to 32.4 in the US (CDC 2021). In 2022, there were 6,153 children in WV in foster care, and 16,757 grandparents in WV raising grandchildren in their household without a parent present. (WV DHHR 2023). The 2023 there were 1,416 homeless individuals in WV, including 161 people in families and 125 individual youth (US HUD). Key activities of the SFN are to provide individual family advocacy & support for families raising children with SED; Enhance family voice, empowerment, and participation in behavioral health policy, planning, and implementation across West Virginia; and Increase family involvement and leadership in workforce and program development to enhance access to and availability of evidence-based and promising practices that are holistic, family/caregiver-driven, and trauma informed.

APPLICATION ABSTRACT STATEWIDE FAMILY NETWORKS (SFN) SM 24-001 HAWAII FAMILIES AS ALLIES Hawaii Families As Allies (HFAA) began more than 36 years ago and has been a pioneer in elevating peer parent support for families in Hawaii. HFAA is the statewide Affiliate and a proud founding member of the National Federation of Families, a leading organization who has paved the way for bringing lived experience to Family Support nationwide. The proposed project entitled “Hawaii Family Peer Support” seeks to implement statewide technical assistance and customized support, and to connect and disseminate targeted information designed to increase the involvement of families whose children and youth have SED (population of 148,684 youth) in all levels of Hawaii’s System of Care. Another key factor of the proposed project is the increased support needed for impacted families of Maui County, who were devastated by the tragic Lahaina Wildfires in 2023. This disaster has left a once thriving and peaceful community in disarray and help is desperately needed as behavioral health services statewide are stretched beyond capacity. As a key partner of the Office of Youth Services, HFAA works directly with families of youth who are either involved or at-risk for involvement with the Juvenile Justice system. Often, these families fall thru the cracks because they are largely blamed for their child/youth in the JJ system. Another goal of this project would capture HFAA’s unique approach to focus on breaking those systemic cycles of recidivism to perpetuate the cultural principles in support of ‘Ohana (family) values to rebuild family connections when youth have JJ system involvement. HFAA will operate this project statewide, with the goal of impacting 200 families annually, over the 3-year contract term. HFAA will empower families by operationalizing activities designed to provide them with the framework to build their skills and necessary knowledge needed to effectively participate at all levels of Hawaii’s System of Care. As a result of implementing specific activities to achieve its objectives and meet project goals, HFAA will also impact key child-serving agencies through increased partnerships and focused outreach welcoming and empowering families to become active participants in the treatment and services for their children and youth. This project will be completed by an experienced team of Certified Family Peer Specialists, using the organizations unique trauma informed, evidenced based curriculum that focuses on the journey of a family and their evolution in systems, while making specific connections from a peer-based approach using lived experiences.

The North Carolina Families United (NCFamU) Statewide Family Network project aims to enhance mental health services for families raising children with Significant Emotional Disturbances/Children with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (SED/COD) and those with incarcerated parents across North Carolina's diverse communities. Through a comprehensive approach, the project addresses critical service gaps and systemic challenges, ensuring equitable access to support services and resources. Goals include enhancing family leadership capacity in behavioral health policy development, increasing family involvement in workforce and program development, expanding outreach for individualized family advocacy and support, and addressing the needs of children with incarcerated parents through the implementation of the Start Talking About Rebuilding Relationships (STARR) program. Throughout the duration of the grant we anticipate serving 5 – 7k youth and families using our current programs and the implementation of STARR. We are also going to increase our digital peer support reach through quarterly social media campaigns where we anticipate reaching between 270k and 720k youth and families. By implementing these initiatives, the project seeks to foster collaboration, promote community engagement, and advocate for policy changes to create a more resilient and responsive mental health service infrastructure for North Carolina's families and youth.