ICS family life center - inwood community services (ICS), a multiservice organization serving a lower SES, largely immigrant population in upper manhattan for over 42 years, proposes to expand and…

ICS family life center - inwood community services (ICS), a multiservice organization serving a lower SES, largely immigrant population in upper manhattan for over 42 years, proposes to expand and transform its outpatient mental health and chemical dependency clinics, as well as its wellness and prevention program, into a certified community behavioral health clinic (ccbhc) model by establishing a family life center, including a robust case management/crisis management service, over the next two years. This upper manhattan neighborhood has been particularly hard HIT by the covid pandemic, consistently suffering with one of the highest infection rates in the city and lagging far behind in vaccinations - due to minimal supply/opportunity, coupled with understandable hesitancy/mistrust of the vaccine. Consequently, depression, anxiety, and trauma are pervasive, as is spiraling suicidality and drug overdoses. This project will enroll two hundred (200) clients (125 adults; 75 children) with 10,000 units of service in the first year; and two hundred and fifty (250) clients (150 adults; 100 children) with 15,000 units of service in the second year. This expansion will involve the establishment of an intensive case management team of culturally competent workers who will ensure that all clients receive necessary counseling, medication management, concrete assistance, medical care and follow up, entitlements, and necessary housing support. These case managers will accompany clients to appointments (especially medical), advocate on clients' behalf, and visit clients' homes when necessary. A staff of experienced, bilingual social workers and a bilingual casac will offer individual, group, and family counseling. The project's case managers and its clinicians will also staff an afterhours crisis service that will be available for all clients and will assure that all emergent situations are addressed promptly, personally, and effectively. The ICS family life center will offer all clients a sense of community and belonging. Activities will include socialization groups, vocational services, nutritional counseling and workshops, recreational activities, cultural and holiday celebrations, peer support, self-help meetings, and an active consumer oversight committee. Evidenced based practices and certain trauma protocols will be utilized when indicated in both clinical and prevention services. IT is anticipated that this project will significantly assist its participants by alleviating anxiety and stress, ameliorating depression and ptsd symptoms, and reducing psychiatric hospitalizations, emergency room visits, suicide attempts, and drug overdoses. More importantly, IT will immerse its participants into the fabric of a thriving community center that functions like an extended family instead of an institution-one that values every person's particular narrative, journey, and culture. In addition, the project's case management component will ensure that no client is 'lost to contact.' research on engaging a disadvantaged, ethnic minority populations underscores the importance of offering a welcoming, person-centered approach to reduce stigma, increase engagement, and enhance outcomes.