Cape Assist Inc

CAPE ASSIST - STRATEGIC PREVENTION FRAMEWORK - PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUCCESS

CAPE ASSIST, A PREVENTION AND TREATMENT AGENCY, CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ, PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THE KINSHIP CONNECTION PROJECT FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY OPIOID AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE. THE PURPOSE OF THE KINSHIP CONNECTION PROJECT IS TO BUILD UPON CAPE ASSISTS CUMULATIVE PREVENTION EFFORTS USING AN EXISTING COALITIONS FOCUS ON BUILDING PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR YOUTH THROUGH COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CLIENT MANAGEMENT REFERRAL DATABASE AND CASE-MANAGEMENT REFERRAL PROCESS THAT WILL CONNECT INFORMAL AND FORMAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES INTO A MEASURABLE, ACCOUNTABLE SYSTEM TO EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT THE DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH LIVING IN KINSHIP FAMILIES IMPACTED BY OPIOID AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN CAPE MAY COUNTY.

DRUG FREE (DFC) COMMUNITIES SUPPORT PROGRAMLOWER TOWNSHIP HEALTHY YOUTH COALITION - THE LOWER TOWNSHIP HEALTHY YOUTH COALITION WILL WORK TO REDUCE UNDERAGE DRINKING THAT OCCURS WITH PARENTAL/ COMMUNITY CONSENT/ KNOWLEDGE, AND WOK TO REDUCE ITS AVAILABILITY. THE COALITION WILL WORK TO INCREASE THE PERCEPTION OF RISK OF REGULAR MARIJUANA USE, AND AVAILABILITY OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND INCREASE THE PERCEPTION OF HARM.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING IN CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ - THE MHFA PROJECT WILL TRAIN ADULTS AND YOUTH IN CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ IN MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, DE-ESCALATION, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF LOCAL RESOURCES TO BEST SUPPORT YOUTH. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH; EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS, SCHOOL PERSONNEL, FAITH-BASED GROUPS, YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND YOUTH WILL BE TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND LEARN ABOUT LOCAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT AND TREAT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THIS PROJECT WILL TRAIN OVER 2,200 DURING THE GRANT PERIOD. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH FOUR GOALS. GOAL 1 - INCREASE CAPACITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL DISORDERS PARTICULARLY SMI AND SED, SPECIFICALLY SCHOOLS (PERSONNEL AND STUDENTS), EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS, POLICE, PARENTS/GUARDIANS, FAITH-BASED GROUPS, AND YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS. - BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, BUILD CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, UTILIZE APPROPRIATE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, AND SAFELY DE-ESCALATE YOUTH BY TRAINING A MINIMUM OF 2,010 ADULTS AND YOUTH IN EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUMS (MHFA-Y AND MHFA-T) AS EVIDENCED BY SIGN INS SHEETS AND TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS. - BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, 50% OF PARTICIPANTS TAKING THE MHFA-Y AND MHFA-T TRAININGS WILL SHOW AN INCREASED PROFICIENCY IN IDENTIFYING/WORKING WITH YOUTH WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. GOAL 2: PROVIDE TA TO CREATE POLICIES THAT ESTABLISH LINKAGES WITH SCHOOL/COMMUNITY BASED MENTAL HEALTH TO REFER YOUTH ONCE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING A SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER. - BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, PROJECT STAFF WILL PROVIDE TA TO A MINIMUM OF 5 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS WHO COMPLETE ANY OF PROJECT TRAINING TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT POLICIES TO ESTABLISH REFERRAL MECHANISMS TO INCREASE THE ABILITY OF THOSE TRAINED TO MAKE APPROPRIATE SCREENINGS AND REFERRALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. GOAL 3: INCREASE CAPACITY FOR INDIVIDUALS, SPECIFICALLY SCHOOL PERSONNEL, FIRST RESPONDERS AND YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS TO EMPLOY CRISIS DE-ESCALATION TECHNIQUES. - BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, 250 TWO STAFF MEMBERS/COMMUNITY PARTNERS WILL ATTEND THE LIFE SPACE CRISIS INTERVENTION (LSCI) TRAINING OF TRAINERS TO BECOME CERTIFIED TRAINERS IN LSCI, AND 250 SCHOOL PERSONAL/YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS WILL ATTEND NONVIOLENT CRISIS INTERVENTION (NCI) OR LSCI TRAINING TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO DE-ESCALATE A YOUTH SAFELY IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. - BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, 50% OF THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL WHO ATTEND THE LSCI OR NCI TRAINING WILL REPORT BEING ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY DE-ESCALATE A YOUTH IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. GOAL 4: EXPAND EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT COUNTY RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER AND HOW TO ACCESS THEM. - BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, ONLINE RESOURCE OF LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WILL BE CREATED AND MAINTAINED TO KEEP AN ACCURATE AND UP TO DATE LISTING OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS. - BY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, ATTEND 60 COMMUNITY TRAININGS/EVENTS TO PROMOTE THE ONLINE RESOURCE.

THE LOWER TOWNSHIP HEALTHY YOUTH COALITION

COMMUNITY- BASED COALITION ENHANCEMENT GRANTS TO ADDRESS LOCAL DRUG CRISES - OPIOID MISUSE AMONG YOUTH IS STRONGLY LINKED WITH DEVELOPING AN OPIOID USE DISORDER, METHAMPHETAMINE USE DISORDER, AND EXPERIENCING A DRUG OVERDOSE. A ROOT CAUSE OF YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE IS THE NEED TO COPE WITH THE TRAUMA CAUSED BY ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES). BUILDING RESILIENCY IN CHILDREN THROUGH COMMUNITY CONNECTION REDUCES THE IMPACT OF ACES BY PROVIDING POSITIVE EXPERIENCES TO COMBAT TRAUMA. THIS IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE PREVENTION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS AN ADULT. ACCORDING TO THE CDC, REDUCING THE IMPACT OF ACES ON YOUTH HAS BEEN LINKED TO LOWER DRUG AND ALCOHOL RATES, LOWER RATES OF HIGH-RISK BEHAVIORS, AND AN INCREASE IN LIFE EXPECTANCY. THE CAPE MAY COUNTY HEALTHY COMMUNITY COALITION (HCC) STRIVES TO BUILD A HEALTHY CAPE MAY COUNTY BY REDUCING SUBSTANCE ABUSE. THE COALITION WILL USE THE SEVEN STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE TO INCREASE PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS OF COUNTY YOUTH, AND PERCEPTION OF HARM AND AWARENESS OF ACCESS TO OPIOIDS, METHAMPHETAMINE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG MISUSE. UNDER THE CARA PROJECT GOAL ONE IS TO REDUCE REDUCE OPIOID, METHAMPHETAMINE, AND/OR PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE/MISUSE AMONG YOUTH, THE COALITION HAS TWO OBJECTIVES: BY JUNE 30, 2022 REDUCE THE PERCENTAGE OF YOUTH AGED 12-18 IN CAPE MAY COUNTY WHO REPORT PAST 30 DAY USE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE/MISUSE BY 10% AS REPORTED BY THE CAPE MAY COUNTY PRIDE SURVEY; BY JUNE 30, 2022, REDUCE THE PERCENTAGE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CAPE MAY COUNTY WHO REPORT IT ?EASY? AND ?FAIRLY EASY? TO GET OPIOIDS FROM 13% TO 11% AS REPORTED BY THE PRIDE SURVEY. THE COALITION?S OBJECTIVES WILL INCLUDE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF YOUTH THAT ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES OF THE YOUTH TASKFORCE. THIS WILL BE DONE BY RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES MEANINGFUL OUTREACH, AND BY MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING CURRENT MEMBERSHIP. GOAL TWO IS TO CHANGE THE CULTURE AND CONTEXT REGARDING ACCEPTABILITY OF YOUTH OPIOID, METHAMPHETAMINE, AND /OR PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE/ MISUSE, THE COALITION HAS TWO OBJECTIVES: BY DECEMBER 31, 2021, INCREASE BY 25% YOUTH MEMBERSHIP IN THE YOUTH TASKFORCE; BY JUNE 30, 2022, EDUCATE 250 YOUTH INFLUENCERS/STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON LOCAL ISSUES RELATED TO YOUTH USE OF OPIOIDS, METHAMPHETAMINE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THROUGH LITERATURE DISSEMINATION, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND ATTENDANCE AT COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS.

THE LOWER TOWNSHIP HEALTHY YOUTH COALITION

CAPE MAY COUNTY HEALTHY COMMUNITY COALITION

CAPE ASSIST'S STOP ACT - STOP ACT FUNDING WILL PROVIDE THE CAPACITY FOR CAPE MAY COUNTY HEALTHY COMMUNITY COALITION TO ADDRESS NEW REALITIES OF UNDERAGE DRINKING IN CAPE MAY COUNTY: YOUTH USING ALCOHOL TO COPE WITH COVID; LAWS LIMITING POLICE TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON YOUTH FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING; AND PARENTAL AND ADULT MUCH NEEDED ACCOUNTABILITY AND UNDERSTANDING OF LIABILITIES DEALING WITH YOUTH’S UNDERAGE DRINKING IN A TOURIST COMMUNITY. THE 2022 PRIDE SURVEY RESULTS REQUIRE A CALL TO ACTION IN ADDRESSING UNDERAGE DRINKING SINCE COVID 19 BEGAN. OTHER TRENDING DRUG USE ISSUES, SUCH AS MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION, PRESCRIPTION DRUG MISUSE AND HEROIN AND FENTANYL HAVE ALSO INCREASED; YET FOR YOUTH, ALCOHOL REMAINS THE OVERWHELMING DRUG OF CHOICE. AS DATA SHOW, MOST PEOPLE THAT USE AND TRY OTHER DRUGS BEGIN WITH DRINKING UNDERAGE DRINKING. THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO REDUCE UNDERAGE DRINKING NOW THROUGH ADULT ACCOUNTABILITY WHERE IT NOW LACKS FOR YOUTH, WHO ARE QUICKLY BECOMING AWARE OF POLICE’S TIED HANDS FROM A TOOTHLESS LEGISLATION IMPEDING THEIR ABILITY TO ACT WITH LEGAL CONSEQUENCE. THE GOALS OF THIS PROGRAM ARE TO: DECREASE UNDERAGE ALCOHOL USE AMONG CAPE MAY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BY REINFORCING PENALTIES TO ADULTS WHO SERVE ALCOHOL TO UNDERAGE YOUTH; REDUCE ALCOHOL ACCESS TO CAPE MAY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BY WORKING WITH BUSINESSES THAT SELL AND SERVE ALCOHOL; AND TO DECREASE ALCOHOL USE IN CAPE MAY COUNTY BY IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ADDRESS ALCOHOL MISUSE WITH ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION.

CARA - CAPE MAY COUNTY HEALTHY COMMUNITY COALITION

SOBER TRUTH ON PREVENTING UNDERAGE DRINKING ACT GRANT (STOP ACT GRANT)

SOBER TRUTH ON PREVENTING UNDERAGE DRINKING ACT GRANT (STOP ACT GRANT)

CDC-RFA-CE21-2106