Project Grant H79SM091078

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.