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Nearly one in five teens in Indiana has considered suicide in the past year, the highest rate in the nation. Eleven percent of teens have actually attempted suicide, the second highest national rate. Hamilton Center's "Now is the Time" Project AWARE will directly addresses these sobering statistics. The project represents collaboration with many community-based youth-serving organizations in a ten county geographic catchment area located in west-central Indiana. The project will train 30 individuals from youth-serving, community-based organizations in the geographic catchment area as certified YMHFA Instructors. By the end of year three of the grant period, the YMHFA Instructors will conduct approximately 210 YMHFA workshops, training at least 3000 individuals as First Aiders. Hamilton Center is partnering with Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, Inc. (ASPIN) who will serve as the evaluator for the project.

AWARE VERMONT will be administered by VCN which is a statewide provider network of the 16 non-profit community-based designated and specialized service agencies that serve Vermonters affected by developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Through AWARE VERMONT, VCN will: Build a sustainable and comprehensive statewide youth mental health literacy infrastructure through collaboration across a broad spectrum of individuals, agencies, institutions, and groups; Train a statewide network of Youth Mental Health First Aiders who can support Vermont's at risk youth through education, elimination of stigma and increased access to services for prevention and early intervention; and Increase acceptance of youth living with mental health conditions and awareness of the benefits of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) to facilitate prevention, early intervention and referral of adolescents to mental health services. Throughout the course of this project a minimum of 20 YMHFA Instructors will be certified statewide. Instructors will provide YMHFA training to a diverse population of at least 2,200 community members and youth serving professionals with 400 First Aiders certified in year one, 900 certified in year two, and 900 certified in year three. The scope of this three year project will effectively saturate the state with seven times the number of Youth Mental Health First Aiders currently certified in the state. At the end of the third year, there will be 1 Youth Mental Health First Aider for every 10 adolescents in the identified catchment areas of this proposal or 1 Youth Mental Health First Aider for every 21 adolescents statewide.

AWARE VERMONT will be administered by VCN which is a statewide provider network of the 16 non-profit community-based designated and specialized service agencies that serve Vermonters affected by developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Through AWARE VERMONT, VCN will: Build a sustainable and comprehensive statewide youth mental health literacy infrastructure through collaboration across a broad spectrum of individuals, agencies, institutions, and groups; Train a statewide network of Youth Mental Health First Aiders who can support Vermont's at risk youth through education, elimination of stigma and increased access to services for prevention and early intervention; and Increase acceptance of youth living with mental health conditions and awareness of the benefits of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) to facilitate prevention, early intervention and referral of adolescents to mental health services. Throughout the course of this project a minimum of 20 YMHFA Instructors will be certified statewide. Instructors will provide YMHFA training to a diverse population of at least 2,200 community members and youth serving professionals with 400 First Aiders certified in year one, 900 certified in year two, and 900 certified in year three. The scope of this three year project will effectively saturate the state with seven times the number of Youth Mental Health First Aiders currently certified in the state. At the end of the third year, there will be 1 Youth Mental Health First Aider for every 10 adolescents in the identified catchment areas of this proposal or 1 Youth Mental Health First Aider for every 21 adolescents statewide.

AWARE VERMONT will be administered by VCN which is a statewide provider network of the 16 non-profit community-based designated and specialized service agencies that serve Vermonters affected by developmental disabilities, mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Through AWARE VERMONT, VCN will: Build a sustainable and comprehensive statewide youth mental health literacy infrastructure through collaboration across a broad spectrum of individuals, agencies, institutions, and groups; Train a statewide network of Youth Mental Health First Aiders who can support Vermont's at risk youth through education, elimination of stigma and increased access to services for prevention and early intervention; and Increase acceptance of youth living with mental health conditions and awareness of the benefits of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) to facilitate prevention, early intervention and referral of adolescents to mental health services. Throughout the course of this project a minimum of 20 YMHFA Instructors will be certified statewide. Instructors will provide YMHFA training to a diverse population of at least 2,200 community members and youth serving professionals with 400 First Aiders certified in year one, 900 certified in year two, and 900 certified in year three. The scope of this three year project will effectively saturate the state with seven times the number of Youth Mental Health First Aiders currently certified in the state. At the end of the third year, there will be 1 Youth Mental Health First Aider for every 10 adolescents in the identified catchment areas of this proposal or 1 Youth Mental Health First Aider for every 21 adolescents statewide.

The purpose of Linn County Project AWARE is to support the training of teachers, other school staff, and a wide range of community partners and other adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). The goal of Linn County Project AWARE is to Increase the Mental Health Literacy of youth-serving adults in Linn County. The following objectives provide the necessary framework to reach the goal: increase the capacity to train youth-serving adults in YMHFA; increase the number of adults trained in YMHFA; increase the capacity of adults to respond to adolescent behavioral health issues; develop and implement a mental health literacy campaign in all 7 Linn County school districts; increase adolescent referrals to behavioral health resources by first aiders; and develop and increase collaborative partnerships with youth-serving agencies and programs to benefit youth with mental health needs in Linn County. Linn County Project AWARE will train a minimum of 400 adults in YMHFA in year 1, 475 in Year 2, and 475 in Year 3. The Project will reach out across the community to insure participants reflect the diversity of the community, including providing Spanish Language YMHFA trainings.

The purpose of Linn County Project AWARE is to support the training of teachers, other school staff, and a wide range of community partners and other adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). The goal of Linn County Project AWARE is to Increase the Mental Health Literacy of youth-serving adults in Linn County. The following objectives provide the necessary framework to reach the goal: increase the capacity to train youth-serving adults in YMHFA; increase the number of adults trained in YMHFA; increase the capacity of adults to respond to adolescent behavioral health issues; develop and implement a mental health literacy campaign in all 7 Linn County school districts; increase adolescent referrals to behavioral health resources by first aiders; and develop and increase collaborative partnerships with youth-serving agencies and programs to benefit youth with mental health needs in Linn County. Linn County Project AWARE will train a minimum of 400 adults in YMHFA in year 1, 475 in Year 2, and 475 in Year 3. The Project will reach out across the community to insure participants reflect the diversity of the community, including providing Spanish Language YMHFA trainings.

The purpose of Linn County Project AWARE is to support the training of teachers, other school staff, and a wide range of community partners and other adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). The goal of Linn County Project AWARE is to Increase the Mental Health Literacy of youth-serving adults in Linn County. The following objectives provide the necessary framework to reach the goal: increase the capacity to train youth-serving adults in YMHFA; increase the number of adults trained in YMHFA; increase the capacity of adults to respond to adolescent behavioral health issues; develop and implement a mental health literacy campaign in all 7 Linn County school districts; increase adolescent referrals to behavioral health resources by first aiders; and develop and increase collaborative partnerships with youth-serving agencies and programs to benefit youth with mental health needs in Linn County. Linn County Project AWARE will train a minimum of 400 adults in YMHFA in year 1, 475 in Year 2, and 475 in Year 3. The Project will reach out across the community to insure participants reflect the diversity of the community, including providing Spanish Language YMHFA trainings.

Communities in Schools (CIS) of South Texas will implement YMHFA in Guadalupe County to increase the mental health literacy of the community. To increase the mental health literacy of adults who interact with adolescents or transition-aged youth in Guadalupe County CIS will: 1.) Provide Youth Mental Health First Aid training to teachers and school staff at each secondary campus in Guadalupe County. 2.) Increase the capacity of community adults to respond to the behavioral health issues of adolescents or transition-aged youth by: Certifying through a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor each Foster Parent in Guadalupe County and each YMHFA Project staff member as a YMHFA First Aider. 3.) Hold Quarterly Town Hall meetings in the community to engage families and caregivers to increase awareness and to promote positive behavioral health; and conduct weekly outreach services and activities for each of the groups targeted in Goal One and Two to increase their awareness and to solicit their participation in YMHFA training. 4.) Develop a comprehensive list of services available for adolescents or transition-aged youth and publicize it in awareness classes at schools, electronically, and in all training provided by YMHFA; and utilizing the outreach and engagement strategies ensure community members and stakeholders are aware of how and where to refer adolescents and transition-aged youth in need of mental health services. 5.) Determine and identify youth-serving agencies and programs in the community and provide that information in the outreach and engagement strategies; and Involve the relevant youth-serving community agencies and programs in Town Hall meetings to strengthen collaborative partnerships that increase access to adolescents and transition-aged youth with mental health needs.

Communities in Schools (CIS) of South Texas will implement YMHFA in Guadalupe County to increase the mental health literacy of the community. To increase the mental health literacy of adults who interact with adolescents or transition-aged youth in Guadalupe County CIS will: 1.) Provide Youth Mental Health First Aid training to teachers and school staff at each secondary campus in Guadalupe County. 2.) Increase the capacity of community adults to respond to the behavioral health issues of adolescents or transition-aged youth by: Certifying through a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor each Foster Parent in Guadalupe County and each YMHFA Project staff member as a YMHFA First Aider. 3.) Hold Quarterly Town Hall meetings in the community to engage families and caregivers to increase awareness and to promote positive behavioral health; and conduct weekly outreach services and activities for each of the groups targeted in Goal One and Two to increase their awareness and to solicit their participation in YMHFA training. 4.) Develop a comprehensive list of services available for adolescents or transition-aged youth and publicize it in awareness classes at schools, electronically, and in all training provided by YMHFA; and utilizing the outreach and engagement strategies ensure community members and stakeholders are aware of how and where to refer adolescents and transition-aged youth in need of mental health services. 5.) Determine and identify youth-serving agencies and programs in the community and provide that information in the outreach and engagement strategies; and Involve the relevant youth-serving community agencies and programs in Town Hall meetings to strengthen collaborative partnerships that increase access to adolescents and transition-aged youth with mental health needs.

Communities in Schools (CIS) of South Texas will implement YMHFA in Guadalupe County to increase the mental health literacy of the community. To increase the mental health literacy of adults who interact with adolescents or transition-aged youth in Guadalupe County CIS will: 1.) Provide Youth Mental Health First Aid training to teachers and school staff at each secondary campus in Guadalupe County. 2.) Increase the capacity of community adults to respond to the behavioral health issues of adolescents or transition-aged youth by: Certifying through a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor each Foster Parent in Guadalupe County and each YMHFA Project staff member as a YMHFA First Aider. 3.) Hold Quarterly Town Hall meetings in the community to engage families and caregivers to increase awareness and to promote positive behavioral health; and conduct weekly outreach services and activities for each of the groups targeted in Goal One and Two to increase their awareness and to solicit their participation in YMHFA training. 4.) Develop a comprehensive list of services available for adolescents or transition-aged youth and publicize it in awareness classes at schools, electronically, and in all training provided by YMHFA; and utilizing the outreach and engagement strategies ensure community members and stakeholders are aware of how and where to refer adolescents and transition-aged youth in need of mental health services. 5.) Determine and identify youth-serving agencies and programs in the community and provide that information in the outreach and engagement strategies; and Involve the relevant youth-serving community agencies and programs in Town Hall meetings to strengthen collaborative partnerships that increase access to adolescents and transition-aged youth with mental health needs.

Clinical and Support Options, of Western Massachusetts (Hampshire, Franklin and northwestern Worcester (North Quabbin) Counties), plan to offer Mental Health First Aid, both youth and adult, to those in our communities who are in a position to make a difference: public school and college/university faculty and staff, primary care providers, community-based agency staff, first responders/law enforcement and juvenile court personnel. There are 33,534 youth 10-19 in the tri-county service area. YMHFA training will be provided at three of five outpatient centers and in community venues in the counties' population centers: Greenfield in Franklin County, Athol in the North Quabbin area and Northampton in Hampshire County. Through partnering with Communities that Care and the Collaborative for Educational Services, widespread marketing and community outreach in general mental health awareness as well as to publicize free YMHFA training for any resident will be achieved. CSO will coordinate an information and referral process in which all participants will be trained. Instructors will also be certified in three specialties: Rural Audiences, Higher Education and Public Safety. The project's goals will be achieved through the following objectives: to teach community members how to support the individual and to help seek appropriate treatment for them by training 650 people in YMHFA; to reduce the stigma of mental illness in our communities; and foster an understanding of mental illness in trainees and in the community at large through increasing public awareness in every segment of the community through a process of community outreach and marketing. Six Instructors will be certified in YMHFA, who will train 650 community residents over three years.

Clinical and Support Options, of Western Massachusetts (Hampshire, Franklin and northwestern Worcester (North Quabbin) Counties), plan to offer Mental Health First Aid, both youth and adult, to those in our communities who are in a position to make a difference: public school and college/university faculty and staff, primary care providers, community-based agency staff, first responders/law enforcement and juvenile court personnel. There are 33,534 youth 10-19 in the tri-county service area. YMHFA training will be provided at three of five outpatient centers and in community venues in the counties' population centers: Greenfield in Franklin County, Athol in the North Quabbin area and Northampton in Hampshire County. Through partnering with Communities that Care and the Collaborative for Educational Services, widespread marketing and community outreach in general mental health awareness as well as to publicize free YMHFA training for any resident will be achieved. CSO will coordinate an information and referral process in which all participants will be trained. Instructors will also be certified in three specialties: Rural Audiences, Higher Education and Public Safety. The project's goals will be achieved through the following objectives: to teach community members how to support the individual and to help seek appropriate treatment for them by training 650 people in YMHFA; to reduce the stigma of mental illness in our communities; and foster an understanding of mental illness in trainees and in the community at large through increasing public awareness in every segment of the community through a process of community outreach and marketing. Six Instructors will be certified in YMHFA, who will train 650 community residents over three years.

Clinical and Support Options, of Western Massachusetts (Hampshire, Franklin and northwestern Worcester (North Quabbin) Counties), plan to offer Mental Health First Aid, both youth and adult, to those in our communities who are in a position to make a difference: public school and college/university faculty and staff, primary care providers, community-based agency staff, first responders/law enforcement and juvenile court personnel. There are 33,534 youth 10-19 in the tri-county service area. YMHFA training will be provided at three of five outpatient centers and in community venues in the counties' population centers: Greenfield in Franklin County, Athol in the North Quabbin area and Northampton in Hampshire County. Through partnering with Communities that Care and the Collaborative for Educational Services, widespread marketing and community outreach in general mental health awareness as well as to publicize free YMHFA training for any resident will be achieved. CSO will coordinate an information and referral process in which all participants will be trained. Instructors will also be certified in three specialties: Rural Audiences, Higher Education and Public Safety. The project's goals will be achieved through the following objectives: to teach community members how to support the individual and to help seek appropriate treatment for them by training 650 people in YMHFA; to reduce the stigma of mental illness in our communities; and foster an understanding of mental illness in trainees and in the community at large through increasing public awareness in every segment of the community through a process of community outreach and marketing. Six Instructors will be certified in YMHFA, who will train 650 community residents over three years.

The purpose of "Now is the Time" Project AWARE RobCo is to promote healthy development for youth ages 12-17 in Robertson County, TN. The goal is to expand the capacity of youth-serving adults to identify mental health issues in school-age youth, assist those experiencing a mental health crisis, identify, and refer youth in-need to appropriate professional services. Over the 3-year grant period, Family and Children's Services of Nashville will certify and maintain 8 core Youth Mental Health First Aid (YHMFA) Instructors who in turn will train 1,111 "First Aiders". In addition, Project AWARE RobCo staff, certified Instructors, and First Aiders will help increase access for over 11,000 Robertson County Schools' students to mental health services through the initiation of a comprehensive, integrated referral system designed to address the need for early identification of developmental and/or behavioral concerns, and link youth and their families to community-based developmental and behavioral supports.

The purpose of "Now is the Time" Project AWARE RobCo is to promote healthy development for youth ages 12-17 in Robertson County, TN. The goal is to expand the capacity of youth-serving adults to identify mental health issues in school-age youth, assist those experiencing a mental health crisis, identify, and refer youth in-need to appropriate professional services. Over the 3-year grant period, Family and Children's Services of Nashville will certify and maintain 8 core Youth Mental Health First Aid (YHMFA) Instructors who in turn will train 1,111 "First Aiders". In addition, Project AWARE RobCo staff, certified Instructors, and First Aiders will help increase access for over 11,000 Robertson County Schools' students to mental health services through the initiation of a comprehensive, integrated referral system designed to address the need for early identification of developmental and/or behavioral concerns, and link youth and their families to community-based developmental and behavioral supports.

The purpose of "Now is the Time" Project AWARE RobCo is to promote healthy development for youth ages 12-17 in Robertson County, TN. The goal is to expand the capacity of youth-serving adults to identify mental health issues in school-age youth, assist those experiencing a mental health crisis, identify, and refer youth in-need to appropriate professional services. Over the 3-year grant period, Family and Children's Services of Nashville will certify and maintain 8 core Youth Mental Health First Aid (YHMFA) Instructors who in turn will train 1,111 "First Aiders". In addition, Project AWARE RobCo staff, certified Instructors, and First Aiders will help increase access for over 11,000 Robertson County Schools' students to mental health services through the initiation of a comprehensive, integrated referral system designed to address the need for early identification of developmental and/or behavioral concerns, and link youth and their families to community-based developmental and behavioral supports.

The Ferguson Area Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) project will train 2,025 adults to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and connect youth in need to treatment and resources. Teachers, parents, law enforcement personnel, mentors, individuals from faith communities, and agency providers in Ferguson, Missouri and surrounding communities in North St. Louis County will receive YMHFA training. The project team will leverage Missouri's substantial YMHFA expertise and build a network of First Aiders to serve and support primarily African American adolescents ages 12-18 in and around Ferguson. Youth in the area are extremely vulnerable to serious mental health challenges because of poverty and racial and ethnic disparities, compounded by community violence and protests. The project's goal will be achieved through the following objectives: train 12 new YMHFA instructors from youth-serving partner organizations in the Ferguson community and surrounding areas; train 2,025 First Aiders (600 in year 1, 675 in year 2, and 750 in year 3 by conducting 81 high quality YMHFA courses in the greater-Ferguson community; and strengthen relationships with mental health service providers in the Ferguson area to facilitate youth mental health referrals. The Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis will serve as the lead agency in partnership with community members and three well-respected organizations including Behavioral Health Response, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, and Great Circle.

The Ferguson Area Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) project will train 2,025 adults to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and connect youth in need to treatment and resources. Teachers, parents, law enforcement personnel, mentors, individuals from faith communities, and agency providers in Ferguson, Missouri and surrounding communities in North St. Louis County will receive YMHFA training. The project team will leverage Missouri's substantial YMHFA expertise and build a network of First Aiders to serve and support primarily African American adolescents ages 12-18 in and around Ferguson. Youth in the area are extremely vulnerable to serious mental health challenges because of poverty and racial and ethnic disparities, compounded by community violence and protests. The project's goal will be achieved through the following objectives: train 12 new YMHFA instructors from youth-serving partner organizations in the Ferguson community and surrounding areas; train 2,025 First Aiders (600 in year 1, 675 in year 2, and 750 in year 3 by conducting 81 high quality YMHFA courses in the greater-Ferguson community; and strengthen relationships with mental health service providers in the Ferguson area to facilitate youth mental health referrals. The Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis will serve as the lead agency in partnership with community members and three well-respected organizations including Behavioral Health Response, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, and Great Circle.

The #hopestrongeagles suicide prevention program will expand the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's capacity to better respond to the increased demand of students who experience depression, suicidal ideation, and experience mental health crisis. More specifically, this project will enhance the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's existing crisis prevention, intervention, and suicide prevention services. The strategies of this program are to target students that may be high risk for suicide, increase suicide prevention training across campus, expand awareness, and improve current crisis prevention/intervention. The goals of this program are to provide training to the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center mental health service providers on prevention of suicide and related behaviors, increase Question, Persuade, Refer gatekeeper trainings across the Tennessee Technological University campus to include targeted populations and departments that have a role in the prevention of suicide and related behaviors, reduce stigma and discrimination associated with suicide on Tennessee Technological University campus, expand and implement effective crisis prevention and intervention for the Tennessee Technological University campus, and promote efforts to reduce access to lethal means of students with identified suicide risk. The Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's vision is to increase suicide prevention across the Tennessee Technological University campus by 10 percent annually during the duration of this project. Implementation of the #hopestrongeagles suicide prevention program as funded by this grant will increase the capacity and infrastructure of the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center.

The #hopestrongeagles suicide prevention program will expand the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's capacity to better respond to the increased demand of students who experience depression, suicidal ideation, and experience mental health crisis. More specifically, this project will enhance the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's existing crisis prevention, intervention, and suicide prevention services. The strategies of this program are to target students that may be high risk for suicide, increase suicide prevention training across campus, expand awareness, and improve current crisis prevention/intervention. The goals of this program are to provide training to the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center mental health service providers on prevention of suicide and related behaviors, increase Question, Persuade, Refer gatekeeper trainings across the Tennessee Technological University campus to include targeted populations and departments that have a role in the prevention of suicide and related behaviors, reduce stigma and discrimination associated with suicide on Tennessee Technological University campus, expand and implement effective crisis prevention and intervention for the Tennessee Technological University campus, and promote efforts to reduce access to lethal means of students with identified suicide risk. The Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's vision is to increase suicide prevention across the Tennessee Technological University campus by 10 percent annually during the duration of this project. Implementation of the #hopestrongeagles suicide prevention program as funded by this grant will increase the capacity and infrastructure of the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center.

The #hopestrongeagles suicide prevention program will expand the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's capacity to better respond to the increased demand of students who experience depression, suicidal ideation, and experience mental health crisis. More specifically, this project will enhance the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's existing crisis prevention, intervention, and suicide prevention services. The strategies of this program are to target students that may be high risk for suicide, increase suicide prevention training across campus, expand awareness, and improve current crisis prevention/intervention. The goals of this program are to provide training to the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center mental health service providers on prevention of suicide and related behaviors, increase Question, Persuade, Refer gatekeeper trainings across the Tennessee Technological University campus to include targeted populations and departments that have a role in the prevention of suicide and related behaviors, reduce stigma and discrimination associated with suicide on Tennessee Technological University campus, expand and implement effective crisis prevention and intervention for the Tennessee Technological University campus, and promote efforts to reduce access to lethal means of students with identified suicide risk. The Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center's vision is to increase suicide prevention across the Tennessee Technological University campus by 10 percent annually during the duration of this project. Implementation of the #hopestrongeagles suicide prevention program as funded by this grant will increase the capacity and infrastructure of the Tennessee Technological University Counseling Center.

As one of the National Technical Assistance Centers (NTACS), the STAR Center a component of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) housed within the NAMI National Headquarters, is focused on strengthening and enhancing consumer-directed approaches, recovery concepts and empowerment for those with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. STAR Center activities encompass the tenets of mental health consumer self-help: consumer empowerment, independence, responsibility, choice, and respect and dignity. Quantifiable technical assistance and training services include: 1) content-rich, regularly updated Website, 2) quarterly newsletter, 3) in-person and online TA, 4) teleconferences, 5) social networking, 6) engaging youth as intrinsic to the consumer-led process, not a separate approach and 7) capacity building guidance for consumer-run groups based upon current data, in the first year, we anticipate 35,000 unique Facebook users,1,350 Likes, 1,800 Twitter posts and 300 followers, 8,025 subscribers to the STAR Center list serve, and 22,500 unique STAR Center website visitors. Our distinctive mix of inspiring and informative posts will reach not only those in our assigned Regions, but also across the country. We anticipate an increase of 10-15% per year in the number reached utilizing these resources. Through quantitative and qualitative measures of service delivery and participant self-assessment, the STAR Center implements ongoing monitoring of progress toward these goals, strengthening consumer engagement nationwide, particularly in communities where consumer organizations, networks and leadership do not exist.

As one of the National Technical Assistance Centers (NTACS), the STAR Center a component of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) housed within the NAMI National Headquarters, is focused on strengthening and enhancing consumer-directed approaches, recovery concepts and empowerment for those with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. STAR Center activities encompass the tenets of mental health consumer self-help: consumer empowerment, independence, responsibility, choice, and respect and dignity. Quantifiable technical assistance and training services include: 1) content-rich, regularly updated Website, 2) quarterly newsletter, 3) in-person and online TA, 4) teleconferences, 5) social networking, 6) engaging youth as intrinsic to the consumer-led process, not a separate approach and 7) capacity building guidance for consumer-run groups based upon current data, in the first year, we anticipate 35,000 unique Facebook users,1,350 Likes, 1,800 Twitter posts and 300 followers, 8,025 subscribers to the STAR Center list serve, and 22,500 unique STAR Center website visitors. Our distinctive mix of inspiring and informative posts will reach not only those in our assigned Regions, but also across the country. We anticipate an increase of 10-15% per year in the number reached utilizing these resources. Through quantitative and qualitative measures of service delivery and participant self-assessment, the STAR Center implements ongoing monitoring of progress toward these goals, strengthening consumer engagement nationwide, particularly in communities where consumer organizations, networks and leadership do not exist.

As one of the National Technical Assistance Centers (NTACS), the STAR Center a component of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) housed within the NAMI National Headquarters, is focused on strengthening and enhancing consumer-directed approaches, recovery concepts and empowerment for those with serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. STAR Center activities encompass the tenets of mental health consumer self-help: consumer empowerment, independence, responsibility, choice, and respect and dignity. Quantifiable technical assistance and training services include: 1) content-rich, regularly updated Website, 2) quarterly newsletter, 3) in-person and online TA, 4) teleconferences, 5) social networking, 6) engaging youth as intrinsic to the consumer-led process, not a separate approach and 7) capacity building guidance for consumer-run groups based upon current data, in the first year, we anticipate 35,000 unique Facebook users,1,350 Likes, 1,800 Twitter posts and 300 followers, 8,025 subscribers to the STAR Center list serve, and 22,500 unique STAR Center website visitors. Our distinctive mix of inspiring and informative posts will reach not only those in our assigned Regions, but also across the country. We anticipate an increase of 10-15% per year in the number reached utilizing these resources. Through quantitative and qualitative measures of service delivery and participant self-assessment, the STAR Center implements ongoing monitoring of progress toward these goals, strengthening consumer engagement nationwide, particularly in communities where consumer organizations, networks and leadership do not exist.

The CAFE Mental Health Technical Assistance Center (CAFE TAC) will support the wellness and empowerment of individual mental health consumers and foster the growth and sustainability of mental health consumer organizations that successfully advocate for and implement consumer-directed approaches to mental health. Its purpose is to equip consumer operated mental health organizations with knowledge that will allow them to adopt sound business practices, generate sustainability and positively impact the mental health system of care in their communities, states and regions. CAFE TAC will support the development of strong mental health consumer organizations that can credibly advocate for a systemic shift toward recovery-oriented, person-centered model of care. In order for that to happen, they must be housed in sustainable consumer-run organizations with reliable infrastructure and an authentic voice. It is the intent of CAFE TAC to grow that infrastructure. This will occur as organizations acquire knowledge and skills from the TA center, and through collective mutual support among TA recipients in assigned regions. CAFE TAC will also disseminate information regard- ing subject area topics to a national audience of mental health consumers and organizations. This effort will be supported by the program’s three goals: 1. Mental health consumer organizations in assigned regions will implement strategies to develop strong infrastructure, sound business practices and sustainable funding sources to allow them to effectively represent the consumer voice; 2. Mental health consumer organizations will develop regional networks to facilitate cooperative learning and mutual inter-organizational cooperation that leads to meaningful system change on the regional level; and 3. Consumers and consumer organizations will acquire knowledge and understanding of assigned subject areas.