Step-based care for individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis - the proposed project will support the continued operation of the clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) program at the ohio…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $523,891 to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners (doing business as Alcohol Drug & Mental Health Board) on September 30, 2026, under the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances program (CFDA 93.104) to operate the EPICENTER Step-Based Care Program for individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis.

The recipient will deliver step-based care through the Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis program at the Ohio State University Early Psychosis Intervention Center, targeting individuals ages 12–25 in Franklin County, Ohio who meet clinical high-risk criteria as determined by the Structured Interview for Psychosis Risk Symptoms. The program aims to minimize transitions to psychotic disorders, facilitate remission of attenuated psychotic symptoms, and promote functional improvements. The recipient plans to enroll 25 unique individuals annually, serving approximately 100 individuals over the four-year period of performance from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2030. Place of performance is Columbus, OH 43210. The served population is anticipated to reflect Franklin County's demographics: approximately 63.8 percent white, 25.6 percent Black, 6.3 percent Asian, 3.9 percent two or more races, and 0.4 percent American Indian/Alaskan Native or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, with approximately 8 percent identifying as Hispanic or Latino.

Step-based care for individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis - the proposed project will support the continued operation of the clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) program at the ohio state university early psychosis intervention center (EPICENTER). The EPICENTER CHR-P program has demonstrated efficacy with regard to minimizing rates of transitions to psychotic disorders, facilitating remission of attenuated psychotic symptoms, and promoting functional improvements among people at CHR-P. Project name: EPICENTER step-based care program for individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis geographic area served: franklin county, ohio population size in the service area and number of people to be served annually: per the US census, the population of franklin county ohio is 1,361,536, with approximately 255,000 individuals between the ages of 12-25. We plan to enroll 25 unique individuals in our CHR-P clinic per year over the course of the grant (i.e., 100 total individuals over the 4 years project). Age range and distribution of the population planned to be served: we will provide care to individuals ages 12-25 years. We anticipate that the characteristics of people participating in our CHR-P will mirror the demography of franklin county, ohio. As such, consistent with US census bureau data for franklin county, we anticipate that the racial breakdown of individuals served at this clinic will be approximately 63.8% white; 25.6% black, 6.3% asian, and 3.9% two or more races, with the remaining 0.4% identifying as american indian/alaskan native or native hawaiian/other pacific island. With regard to ethnicity, we anticipate that approximately 8% will identify as hispanic or latino. Clinical characteristics of the population planned to be served: our clinic will serve individuals in franklin county between the ages 12-25 who meet CHR-P criteria as determined using the structured interview for psychosis risk states (SIPS). Strategies and interventions that will be implemented though the grant: care provided at the EPICENTER CHR-P program includes options for psychoeducation, psychotherapy, medication, social skills training, peer support, substance use care, vocational/educational support, and support for family members. As part of the step-based care design, people are initially provided with low intensity interventions and continue to more intensive treatments until they meet predetermined criteria for remission of symptoms and amelioration of functioning deficits. Project goals: (I) continue operation of our existing CHR-P program, (II) increase the number of behavioral health providers trained to provide mental health and related interventions for individuals at CHR-P, (III) expand the number of individuals trained to identify individuals at CHR-P using the SIPS, and (IV) increase the number of individuals at our clinic who receive peer support and family psychoeducation. Measurable objectives  enroll 25 unique individuals per year in the CHR-P program  train 5 psychology and 16 psychiatry trainees per year in relevant interventions included in our step-based care model  increase the number of behavioral health providers in ohio certified on the administration and scoring of the SIPS by 50% by the end of the four-year grant.  ensure that at least 10% of CHR-P program participants and receive peer support and family psychoeduction by the end of the four-year grant period.