To implement the prevention and recovery from early psychosis program to prevent the onset of psychosis or lessen the severity of psychotic disorder among young people at clinical high risk. - utah…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the Utah Department of Health and Human Services $650,000 on September 30, 2026, to implement the Prevention and Recovery from Early Psychosis (PREP) program under the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances program (CFDA 93.104).

PREP will deliver a stepped-care model of services to prevent the onset of psychosis or lessen the severity of psychotic disorder among young people not more than 25 years old who meet criteria for clinical high risk for psychosis, as identified through the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS). The program encompasses outreach and educational activities, screening and assessment services, mental health provider training, referral pathways and service coordination, individualized crisis plan development, and youth, young adult, and family participation support. The stepped-care model operates across four levels: outreach and engagement; low to moderate intensity and risk services; high intensity and high-risk services; and transitioning out of clinical high risk. Movement between care levels is determined by assessment results, treatment response, and shared-decision making incorporating client-identified needs, preferences, and family feedback.

Services are provided across six Utah counties: Salt Lake County (served by Volunteers of America, Utah) and Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, and Washington Counties (served by Southwest Behavioral Health Center). The catchment area encompasses approximately 43 percent of Utah's population, including the state's most populated county and three of its most rural counties.

The award period runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2030. Place of performance is Salt Lake City, Utah 84104.

To implement the prevention and recovery from early psychosis program to prevent the onset of psychosis or lessen the severity of psychotic disorder among young people at clinical high risk. - utah dhhs sumh proposes to implement the prep program to prevent the onset of psychosis or lessen the severity of psychotic disorder among young people, not more than 25 years old, at clinical high risk for psychosis. Prep will implement a stepped-care model to support youth and young adults who meet criteria for clinical high risk for psychosis, as identified through the use of the sips. Prep will implement and coordinate a service system involving community partners that trains mental health providers, provides outreach and educational activities, screening and assessment services, ensures referral pathways and service coordination, implements a stepped-care model of services, promotes and sustains youth, young adult, and family participation, and develops individualized crisis plans as part of a comprehensive clinical care program. The catchment area is: salt lake county with services provided by volunteers of america, utah, and; beaver, garfield, iron, kane, and washington counties with services provided by southwest behavioral health center. This catchment area includes utah's most populated county, salt lake, as well as three of the most rural counties, beaver, garfield, and kane. Washington and iron counties include urban areas, yet are mostly rural. The total population for the catchment area is 1,540,989, approximately 43% of the population. Utah's stepped-care model has four levels of care: 1) outreach and engagement; 2) low to moderate intensity and risk; 3) high intensity/high risk; and 4) transitioning out of CHR-p. Movement between levels is determined by assessment results, treatment response, and a shared-decision making framework focusing on client-identified needs and preferences, and incorporating feedback from family. Psychological intervention and recovery support services include: individual/family psycho-education, substance use prevention and treatment, cbtp, skills training, and recovery support. Pharmacotherapy will be considered only when psychological interventions are ineffective and there are escalating attenuated psychotic symptoms. Measurable objectives: 1) preventing the onset and lessening the severity of psychosis, helping individuals resume age-appropriate functioning; 2) increasing community awareness on CHR-p; 3) ensuring fast entry into services through expanded referral networks and evidence-based assessment; and 4) seamless referral into FEP program for individuals transitioning from clinical high risk to FEP. #1: improve the symptoms and behavioral functioning of 104 individuals (26 per year), not more than 25 years old, who experience CHR-p so they may resume age-appropriate functioning. (a) by 9/30/2030, provide stepped-care intervention to 104 eligible individuals. (b) by 9/30/2030, 80% of enrolled individuals will demonstrate improved functioning as tracked through spars client-level assessment tool. (c) all individuals experiencing FEP will be referred to a FEP specialty program within one week. # 2: improve community awareness, understanding, and collaboration on CHR-p. (a) for each year of the grant, a minimum of 100 community members will receive information on CHR-p. (b) for each year of the grant, a minimum of 5 youth, young adults, and 5 family members/natural supports will be engaged in leadership/advocacy activities, including building a statewide youth, young adult, and family advisory board. (c) by 9/30/2027, develop a CHR-p training specific to crisis service teams, including symptoms and referral. # 3: enhance organizational infrastructure and community readiness to support individuals experiencing CHR-p (a) for each year of the grant, a minimum of 100 cross system staff, including the medical community, will receive training to improve their knowledge and skills on supporting individuals experiencing CHR-p and making referrals. (b) by 3/1/2027, develop a plan to coordinate ongoing training to clinical staff within the public and private mental health system.