Georgia's outreach and intervention with youth and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) - the purpose of georgia's outreach and intervention program for youth and young adults at…

Georgia's outreach and intervention with youth and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) - the purpose of georgia's outreach and intervention program for youth and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) is to serve youth and young adults (Y/YA) at risk of developing psychotic disorders, through community outreach and education, screening, detection, assessment, treatment, and recovery services provided through a comprehensive, coordinated, and stepped-care approach. In partnership with key stakeholders, the georgia department of behavioral health and developmental disabilities (DBHDD) will implement this initiative by focusing on the following goals: (1) developing a primary and secondary outreach network to identify CHR-P Y/YA; (2) building the capacity of the mental health treatment provider communities to meet the unique needs of CHR-P Y/YA and their families; and (3) creating an assessment hub and implementing a stepped-care CSC model for Y/YA meeting criteria for CHR-P with the capacity to provide ongoing monitoring, treatment, and referral to appropriate services. DBHDD has selected a partner with unique and highly relevant expertise: grady health system, in downtown atlanta, has extensive experience working with Y/YA with first-episode psychosis and serves a predominantly underserved, uninsured population. Grady will target Y/YA ages 14- 25 at CHR-P, and the CHR-P program will be CO-located with their coordinated specialty care for first episode psychosis program, project arrow. Through proven screening and detection strategies and the provision of a variety of evidencebased treatments and services, including clinical monitoring, psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT/MET5, open dialogue, peer support, and the IPS model of supported employment/supported education for young adults, grady health system will leverage their experience, proven track record, and numerous community partnerships to meet the needs of the individuals and families they will serve. Approximately 75 Y/YA will be screened in the CHR-P program in the first year. In subsequent years, this number will increase to 150, for a total of approximately 525 individuals screened over the four-year period of the project. Of these 525 individuals, we anticipate that a total of approximately 80 will meet criteria for inclusion in the CHR-P program. Expected outcomes include early identification of Y/YA at CHR-P through high-quality diagnostic assessment conducted by professionals with specialized training in CHR-P; careful monitoring of symptoms; treatment tailored to the needs and preferences of Y/YA at CHR-P; and referral to appropriate services when these cannot be provided by the CHR-P team. Ultimately, through a reduction in the duration of untreated illness, we anticipate seeing improved clinical, occupational, and social functioning, as evidenced by reductions in rates of hospitalization and legal system involvement and increased participation and success in academic, social, and vocational pursuits.