Region 6 system of care project (R6SOC) - region 6 behavioral healthcare proposes to expand and enhance services in the rural nebraska counties of cass and washington, with special focus on…

Region 6 system of care project (R6SOC) - region 6 behavioral healthcare proposes to expand and enhance services in the rural nebraska counties of cass and washington, with special focus on school-based mental health services in eight school districts that serve 7,578 BIRTH-21 children/youth. Region 6 system of care proposes a hybrid approach of infrastructure development and delivery of services to ultimately connect 450 children/youth (BIRTH-21) with severe emotional disturbances (SED) and their families to mental health services (75 in Y1 and 125/year thereafter). The proposal features a school-based single point of access for mental health services for the children/youth with SED and their families. Two districts within this rural geographic catchment have over 40% of students eligible for free and reduced lunch. The area is experiencing a shortage of mental health professionals, fragmented services, and challenging 50-mile drives to services in urban omaha. Once infrastructure has been established to increase capacity for population access and service use, activities will focus on connecting the population to services/interventions through early identification, so access and use can occur in the least restrictive, most normative environments that are clinically appropriate. Licensed personnel will screen 90% of the geographic catchment's school-age children and refer 100% of those identified through screening to appropriate multi-tiered system of support tiers or community-based services. Continuous accountability and assessment activities will not only ensure sustainability of service integration, but also strengthen the cross-system infrastructure. Capacity for improved mental health outcomes is further boosted via a cadre of 8 parent mentors matched with 145 families with children facing SED challenges. In addition, 400 teachers, school personnel/administration, families and other stakeholders will participate in training on evidence-based practices and/or awareness regarding children's behavioral health. Workforce capacity for mental health services will be increased by integrating at least 6 post-doctoral fellows into the rural schools.