Project Grant T2653681

OPIOID-IMPACTED FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM - THROUGH THIS PROJECT, CLARK STATE WILL SEEK TO ADD A YOUTH AND FAMILY FOCUS TO THE EXISTING PROGRAM AND CREDENTIALS BY CREATING A FAMILY PEER SUPPORT FUNDAMENTALS COURSE AND A FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER CERTIFICATE PROGRAM AND BEGIN TRAINING STUDENTS IN THAT PROGRAM. THIS PROJECT WILL BUILD UPON CLARK STATE'S EXISTING CURRICULUM AS WELL AS STATE-APPROVED TRAINING MODELS TO DEVELOP CURRICULUM. ONCE THE PROGRAM IS APPROVED, CLARK STATE WILL BEGIN OFFERING THE PROGRAM AND WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH PROJECT FUNDS. THE NEW FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER CERTIFICATE (LEVEL I TRAINING PROGRAM) WILL PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE A CERTIFIED FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER (CFPS) IN THE STATE OF OHIO. THIS WILL SERVE TRAINEES WHO SELF-IDENTIFY AS THE CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES (MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER) AND WHO HAVE NAVIGATED SERVICE SYSTEMS FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR ON BEHALF OF THE INDIVIDUALS. TRAINEES WILL SERVE FAMILIES AND YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY OPIOIDS. CFPSS PROVIDE SERVICES INCLUDING: PROVIDING EMPATHETIC LISTENING AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT; ASSISTING FAMILIES IN NAVIGATING SYSTEMS; SUPPLYING INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD-SERVING SYSTEMS, CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES; RENDERING ADVOCACY SUPPORT; ENCOURAGING SELF-CARE ACTIVITIES; FACILITATING FAMILIAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS; MODELING COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS; ENGAGING IN SAFETY AND CARE PLANNING; EXPLORING AND ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO CARE PLAN FOLLOW-THROUGH; OFFERING SKILL-BUILDING FOR PARENTS THAT ENHANCES RESILIENCY, COMMUNICATION, ADVOCACY AND OTHER AREAS AFFECTING THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN A CHILD WITH COMPLEX NEEDS IN THE HOME, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY; SHARING PERSONAL STORIES; PROVIDING HOPE. STUDENTS WHO COMPLETE FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER CERTIFICATE WILL BE ABLE TO STACK THAT CERTIFICATE INTO THE EXISTING ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN ADDICTION AND RECOVERY SERVICES DEGREE (LEVEL II TRAINING PRO GRAM). THAT DEGREE IS STACKABLE INTO A BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN ADDICTIONS AND INTEGRATED TREATMENT STUDIES. THIS PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE NEEDS FOR MORE OPIOID PARAPROFESSIONALS IN THE REGION, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THE EFFECTS OF OPIOID USE ON THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND CAN HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE SYSTEMS.