Arizona project aware II - AZ project aware II is informed by lessons learned and experience implementing AZ project aware FY18 aware-sea, SM080976 and will address the specific service gaps…

Arizona project aware II - AZ project aware II is informed by lessons learned and experience implementing AZ project aware FY18 aware-sea, SM080976 and will address the specific service gaps identified in three new partnering leas to promote awareness of mental health issues among school-aged youth and connect school-aged youth who have mental disorders and their families to school- and community-based mental health services in each of the three underserved leas/communities. Arizona department of education (ADE) and arizona health care cost containment system (ahcccs) will work in collaboration with glendale union high school district. Maricopa unified school district and roosevelt elementary school district. These districts represent underserved populations with a high economic hardship indicator. To address the needs of these communities the project will build awareness of mental wellness, and capacity of districts to build comprehensive school mental health systems. The project has three goals: 1). Build and support sustainable infrastructure for comprehensive school mental health systems with established pathways to community-based supports and services for school-aged youth and their families. 2. Create sustainable engagement strategies with students, families, and community partners to promote mental health, wellbeing, and resilience by increasing community partner to promote mental health, wellbeing, and resilience by increasing community/student involvement in policy and decision making. 3. Increase knowledge, skills, and abilities to identify, respond and support students experiencing a mental health and wellness need. AZ project aware II will utilize an implementation approach that is focused on building school infrastructure to streamline referral pathways to mental health services and supports, provide workforce development, and training in mental health awareness and ebps, and engagement of families and the community as an integral part of the education environment. Strategies will address the specific service gaps identified in each of the leas and promote awareness of mental health concerns among school-aged youth and connect school-aged youth who have mental disorders and their families to school- and community-based mental health services in each of the three leas/communities.