The Coffey Health System (CHS) was awarded a $181,470 Project Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance (CFDA 93.243) program. The grant will support CHS's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to increase the capacity of its personnel to respond to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) emergency calls.
Key strategies and interventions include hiring and training three additional EMTs, providing financial support for five EMTs to become paramedics, and implementing a robust training program on substance use, mental health, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing for 50 EMS staff over the two-year performance period. CHS will also purchase needed equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) to support EMS in responding to emergencies, and partner with Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness to increase care coordination and connect individuals to SUD services. The project aims to improve the EMS workforce capacity, enhance staff training, and connect individuals to critical mental health and SUD services in the rural service area.