Project Grant H79SM085522

MOBILE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM - THE BRIDGE OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS (THE BRIDGE), DBA OPEN SKY COMMUNITY SERVICES PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM (MCRT) PARTNERING WITH HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS (ED'S). THE TARGET POPULATION IS 100 ADULTS AND CHILDREN ANNUALLY FROM WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, EXPERIENCING SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE (SED), SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI), OR SED/SMI AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, ALSO CALLED CO-OCCURRING DISORDER (COD). IN ADDITION, THE TARGET POPULATION INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS WHO FREQUENTLY UTILIZE THE ED, MAY BE BOARDING IN THE ED, OR WHO EXPERIENCE FREQUENT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS. TO REACH THIS POPULATION, MCRT STAFF WILL BE DEPLOYED TO AND RESPOND TO THREE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND ACUTE PSYCHIATRIC UNITS. THE PARTNER HOSPITALS ARE HARRINGTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN SOUTHBRIDGE AND WEBSTER, MA, AND ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL IN WORCESTER, MA. THE BRIDGE IS HIGHLY SKILLED IN WORKING WITH PEOPLE PRESENTING WITH SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND HAS SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE IN SERVING CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, YOUNG ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE LGBTQIA+ POPULATION AND THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. THE PROJECT GOALS ARE TO ESTABLISH THE MCRT, CONNECT 200 INDIVIDUALS OVER THE TWO-YEAR PROJECT WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SED, SMI AND COD TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORTS FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS. THE MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES FOR THE PROJECT INCLUDE SERVING 80 ADULTS AND 20 YOUTH PER YEAR, SUPPORTING THE DELIVERY AND ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH WHEN NECESSARY, ENSURING THAT 80% OF ENROLLED PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR TREATMENT OF SMI/SED AND/OR COD, THAT 75% OF MCRT PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE/MAINTAIN HOUSING STABILITY, AND THAT 65% OF MCRT PARTICIPANTS INDICATE SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS. OTHER OBJECTIVES INCLUDE 75% OF ENROLLED INDIVIDUALS ARE CONTACTED BY A MCRT TEAM MEMBER WITHIN 24 HOURS OF RECEIPT OF REFERRAL, 80% OF INDIVIDUALS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT MEET THEIR NEEDS, AND THAT UPON DISENROLLMENT, 70% OF ENROLLEES GRADUATE (COMPLETE IDENTIFIED TREATMENT GOALS) OR LEAVE BEFORE COMPLETION WITH THE AGREEMENT OF TREATMENT STAFF. THROUGH THESE SERVICES, ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE WILL BE IMPROVED AND INCREASED FOR THE COMMUNITY. WITH THE MCRT, INDIVIDUALS CAN BE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES, SUCH AS RECOVERY COACHING, HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND CASE MANAGEMENT, AMONG OTHERS. WHEN NECESSARY, TELEHEALTH AND VIRTUAL CONFERENCING WILL AMELIORATE BARRIERS TO IN-PERSON SERVICES. DURING THE PANDEMIC, NUMBERS OF AVAILABLE BEDS IN ED'S AND OTHER PSYCHIATRIC UNITS HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO ALLOW FOR GREATER SOCIAL DISTANCING, OR BECAUSE BEDS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO COVID-19 PATIENTS WHO REQUIRED ISOLATION. BY DIVERTING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS IN THE ED, MORE BEDS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR OTHER MEDICAL PURPOSES, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OUTCOMES WILL IMPROVE.