Ness Healthcare Nfp

NORTHLAKE CCBHC - PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY: TO PROVIDE CCBHC SERVICES TO THREE PARISHES IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA. TO INCREASE ACCESS TO AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND CARE. TARGET POPULATION TO BE SERVED: CRITICAL SUPPORT FROM SAMHSA THROUGH A CCBHC EXPANSION GRANT WILL ALLOW NESS HEALTHCARE, ONE OF LOUISIANAS LARGEST NON PROFIT BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, TO IMMEDIATELY ENHANCE ITS EXISTING SERVICES IN AN EFFORT TO MORE COMPLETELY MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS IT SERVES, INCLUDING VETERANS, FAMILY OF VETERANS, ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, OPIOID USE DISORDERS, AND SERIOUS EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. THE TARGET POPULATION FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS ADULTS WITH A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, ADOLESCENTS WITH A SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS, INCLUDING OPIOID DISORDERS. THE PROJECT WILL TARGET SUBPOPULATIONS; YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE, OUT OF HOME PLACEMENT, KINSHIP CARE OR ADOPTED; AND VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES. DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TARGET POPULATION: THE GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA FOR THE PROJECT ENCOMPASSES THREE MOSTLY RURAL PARISHES IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA: ST. TAMMANY (258,111), TANGIPAHOA (133,777), AND WASHINGTON (46,582) (ERS.USDA.GOV, 2019). HOWEVER, GIVEN THE SEVERE SHORTAGE OF SERVICES IN THE STATE WE ANTICIPATE HAVING PATIENTS FROM ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE OF LOUISIANA. THE THREE PARISHES HAVE A POPULATION OF 438,470 RESIDENTS (WORLD POPULATION REPORT, 2020). THE OTHER PRIMARY PROVIDERS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE AREA INCLUDE THE FLORIDA PARISHES HUMAN SERVICE AUTHORITY, WHICH OPERATES THREE CLINICS IN TRI-PARISH REGION, HOWEVER, THIS AGENCY IS ALWAYS ON A TIGHT BUDGET AND OFFERS LIMITED PROGRAM SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISORDERS (SED). LONGBRANCH WELLNESS, A PRIVATELY OWNED ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER, AND COVINGTON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL HAVE VERY LIMITED CAPACITY, AND FOCUS ON PATIENTS WITH COMMERCIAL INSURANCE. OUTPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN THE AREA INCLUDE ACER OF SLIDELL, LONGBRANCH WELLNESS, AND COVINGTON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL. NUMBER TO BE SERVED ANNUALLY AND THROUGHOUT LIFETIME OF PROJECT: THE TARGETED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS TO BE SERVED BY THE PROJECT OVER THE TWO-YEAR PROJECT PERIOD IS 2,800, TARGETING 800 INDIVIDUALS IN YEAR 1 AND 2,000 INDIVIDUALS IN YEAR 2, NON-DUPLICATED.

NESS HEALTHCARE PPW PROGRAM - THE NESS HEALTHCARE PPW PROGRAM WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE NORTHSHORE AREA OF LA INCLUDING ST. TAMMANY, TANGIPAHOA, AND WASHINGTON PARISHES. NESS PPW PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE SERVICES TO PPW WITH SUD AND THEIR CHILDREN WITH A SPECIFIC POPULATION OF FOCUS (POF) THAT INCLUDES BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS, PREGNANT/POST-NATAL PERSONS, AND SEX WORKERS, INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND/OR AT-RISK OF LOSING THEIR CHILDREN INTO THE DCFS SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THEIR SUD. CLIENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE TRAUMA RESULTING FROM LIVING IN IMPOVERISHED, HIGH-CRIME AREAS AND/OR BEING INCARCERATED AND/OR BEING INVOLVED WITH DCFS. HISTORICALLY NESS HEALTHCARE SERVES APPROXIMATELY 2,500 UNDUPLICATED PERSONS ANNUALLY, OF WHICH 1,500 PERSONS ARE NEW ADMISSIONS. NESS PPW PROGRAM WILL SERVE 116 UNDUPLICATED WOMEN, 150 CHILDREN OVER THE LIFE OF THE PROJECT (12/26 Y1, 26/31 Y2, 26/31 Y3, 26/31 Y4, AND 26/31Y5) WITH THE FOLLOWING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. GOAL 1: INCREASE ACCESS TO RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT. OBJ.1: TRAIN ADMISSIONS/INTAKE STAFF ON PPW CRITERIA. OBJ.2: ATTEND FOUR COMMUNITY FORUMS INVOLVED WITH THE POF AND CREATE MOUS. OBJ.3: RECEIVE 200 REFERRALS AND ADMIT 116 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS TO THE PPW PROGRAM BY YEAR 5. OBJ.4:100% ASSESSED FOR COD, MH, SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, TRAUMA EXPOSURE, HOUSING, DCFS INVOLVEMENT, CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT AND RECOVERY SUPPORTS. GOAL 2: IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND FIDELITY OF SERVICES AND ADDRESS THE STIGMA AGAINST SUD. OBJ.1: DEVELOP A COMPLIANT STEERING COMMITTEE WITH 10 KEY MEMBERS, FOUR WILL REPRESENT, PERSON SERVED, FAMILY MEMBER, PERSON IN ACTIVE RECOVERY AND LMHP. OBJ. 2: HOST 4 TRAININGS TO FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATING THEM ON REFERRAL/ACCESS FOR POF. OBJ. 3:TRAIN STAFF ON AT LEAST THREE EBPS. GOAL 3: INCREASE TREATMENT ACCESS TO POF INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND DCFS. OBJ.1: RECRUIT ONE CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICER AND ONE DCFS STAFF TO BE PART OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE. OBJ. 2: RECEIVE 30 REFERRALS INTO THE PROGRAM IN YEAR ONE FROM JAIL. OBJ. 3: OF THE 30 REFERRALS RECEIVED FROM JAIL AND DCFS, NESS WILL ASSESS 100% FOR SUD. OBJ.4:5% OF THOSE MEETING CRITERIA FOR ANY OF THE 9 CORE SERVICES PROVIDED BY NESS’S CCBHC, WILL BE TREATED. OBJ.5: 65% DCFS INVOLVED WILL MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR CASE PLAN. OBJ.6: 65% WILL MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH PROBATION, PAROLE, COURT REQUIREMENTS AND AVOID RE-ARREST. OBJ.7: PROVIDE CARE COORDINATION TO 100% OF CLIENTS, PROMOTE FAMILY REUNIFICATION WITH CHILDREN. GOAL 4: INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS IN THE PROGRAM. OBJ.1:75% WILL RECEIVE WEEKLY SUD COUNSELING. OBJ.2:95% OF CLIENTS WILL ATTEND 85% OF WEEKLY GROUPS, DEMONSTRATE AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AS EVIDENCED BY PRE-AND POST-TEST. OBJ.3: 95% WILL DEVELOP A RECOVERY ACTION PLAN, LIST TRIGGERS, COPING STRATEGIES, AND SOBER SUPPORTS AS PART OF THEIR PLAN. OBJ.4:100% WILL ATTEND WEEKLY 12-STEP OR OTHER RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUPS. OBJ.5:100% WILL BE ASSESSED FOR HOUSING SITUATION AT INTAKE. THOSE WITHOUT STABLE HOUSING WILL DEVELOP A HOUSING SUPPORT PLAN, RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND LINKAGE WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF ADMISSION. PROOF OF DISCHARGE PLANNING WILL BEGIN ON DAY 1 OF ADMISSION TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS AND INCREASE STABLE HOUSING. OBJ.6:100% QUALIFYING FOR SNAP WILL APPLY WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF ADMISSION. OBJ.7:75% THOSE ADMITTED WILL RECEIVE EMPLOYMENT READINESS COUNSELING SUPPORT, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND LINKAGE FOR GED PROGRAMS. OBJ.8 65% MAINTAINED IN SERVICES FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS EACH YEAR. OBJ. 9: 90% DECREASE OR ABSTAIN FROM USING OTHER DRUGS WHILE IN THE PROGRAM. GOAL 5: DECREASE HEALTH DISPARITIES FOR THOSE RECEIVING SERVICES. OBJ.1:90% RECEIVE HARM REDUCTION SERVICES AND SUPPLIES FROM THE PROGRAM OR PROGRAM PARTNERS INCLUDING STD TESTING, NALOXONE OVERDOSE REVERSAL MEDICATION, FENTANYL TEST STRIPS, WOUND CARE, AND SYRINGE SERVICES. OBJ. 2:INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PERSONS CONNECTED TO A PCP BY 50%. OBJ.3:100% WILL BE REFERRED TO A OB/GYN PHYSICIAN.

NESS REMS TRAINING PROGRAM - PROJECT NAME: NESS RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (REMS) TRAINING PROGRAM. POPULATION(S) TO BE SERVED: NESS HEALTHCARE NFP PLANS TO IMPLEMENT TRAINING FOR EMS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS ACROSS LOUISIANA WITH A PRIORITY FOCUS OF RESPONDERS ACTIVELY SERVING IN THE FOLLOWING RURAL PARISHES OF LOUISIANA PUBLIC HEALTH REGION 9: LIVINGSTON, ST. HELENA, ST. TAMMANY, TANGIPAHOA AND WASHINGTON. STRATEGIES/INTERVENTIONS: NESS HEALTHCARE NFP’S REMS TRAINING PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO EMS, FIRE, AND FIRST RESPONDERS SINCE GRANT INCEPTION SEPTEMBER 2022 TO PRESENT. DURING THIS TIME, THE NESS TRAINING TEAM HAS DEVELOPED EVIDENCED-BASED TRAINING COURSES ON MENTAL HEALTH; ADDICTION; CRISIS RESOURCES, LINKAGE AND REFERRAL TO TREATMENT RESOURCES; CRISIS DE-ESCALATION AND SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENT; MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING; TRAINING THAT QUALIFY EMS TO SERVE IN AN EMS AGENCY; AND NARCAN TRAINING AND DISTRIBUTION. NESS’S COURSES BOLSTER THE COMPETENCIES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF EMS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS. THIS TRAINING WILL ALSO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED TO WORK IN MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS ACROSS THE CATCHMENT AREA. PARTNERS INCLUDE ALL DESERVE ADVOCACY, PREVENTION & TREATMENT (ADAPT, INC.), CITY OF HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TRAINING CENTER, LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF NATIONALLY REGISTERED EMT’S (LANREMT), LOUISIANA RURAL AMBULANCE ALLIANCE (LRAA), LOUISIANA BUREAU OF EMS, NEW ORLEANS RIVER REGION (NORR), AND ST. TAMMANY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO 1, AND TRAINING CENTER. THE TRAINING HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE LDH BUREAU OF EMS AND QUALIFIED FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR CERTIFICATION. THE NESS TRAINING TEAM DEVELOPED A “CRISIS RESOURCES” TRAINING, APPROVED FOR CEU’S BY THE LDH EMS BUREAU WHICH PROVIDES 1.5 HOURS OF RESOURCES TRAINING TO RESPONDERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON THE NEW STATE OF LOUISIANA CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM, SAMHSA’S TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY CENTERS AND THE 988 SUICIDE PREVENTION CRISIS LINE. THIS TRAINING SPECIFICALLY EDUCATES RESPONDERS ON HOW TO DESCRIBE THE NEW SYSTEM AND 4 LEVELS OF CARE, HOW TO CONNECT WITH CRISIS PROVIDERS PER CATCHMENT AREAS OF THE STATE, LINK AND REFER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ENCOUNTERED AT THE FIRST INTERCEPT POINT OF CONTACT WHICH IS OFTENTIMES BY EMS AND FIRE. THE TRAINING GOALS ARE MEASURED BY PRE- AND POST-TEST DEMONSTRATING AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE OF CRISIS RESOURCES AND HOW TO ACCESS, LINK AND REFER. TRAINING PARTICIPANT SURVEYS DEMONSTRATE AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, IDENTIFYING SUBSTANCE MISUSE, RESOURCES AND THE ROLE EMPATHY PLAYS IN GETTING PEOPLE THE HELP THEY SO DESPERATELY NEED. FOLLOW-UP SURVEYS WILL TRACK METRICS RELATED TO SECURING LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS. PROJECT GOALS AND MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES: NESS HEALTHCARE NFP AIMS TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN EMS/FIRST RESPONDERS IN 1) IDENTIFICATION OF MH/SUD CRISIS IN THE FIELD; 2) DE-ESCALATION AND STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES; ; 3) NALOXONE TRAINING, DISTRIBUTION AND PROTOCOL DEVELOPMENT, 4) DEVELOP PROCESSES FOR DATA SHARING INFORMATION ACROSS MULTIPLE AGENCIES AND REGIONS; 3) LINKING WITH MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS; 4) INCREASING COMPETENCIES OF A SMALL COHORT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD SERVE AS LEADS ON MH/SUD ENCOUNTERS WITH AN OVERALL GOAL OF REDUCING THE INTENSITY OF INTERACTIONS AND GETTING THE INDIVIDUALS THE MOST APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF TREATMENT. THE UNDUPLICATED NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO BE SERVED ANNUALLY AND THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE PROJECT: 500 ANNUALLY AND 1,000 THROUGHOUT THE GRANT PERIOD.

NORTHSHORE MGH GRANT - THE MATERNITY GROUP HOME (MGH) (YZ) PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE, STABLE, AND APPROPRIATE SHELTER FOR PREGNANT AND/OR PARENTING YOUTH AGES 16 TO UNDER 22 AND THEIR DEPENDENT CHILD(REN) FOR 18 MONTHS AND, AND UP TO 21 MONTHS UNDER EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES. SERVICE PROVIDERS MUST ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS AND SAFETY OF THE DEPENDENT CHILDREN TO INCLUDE FACILITY SAFETY STANDARDS FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN ON THE PREMISES. MGH SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, PARENTING SKILLS, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, FAMILY BUDGETING, AND HEALTH AND NUTRITION EDUCATION. MGH PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES (E.G., BASIC LIFE SKILLS, EDUCATIONAL AND JOB ATTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES, COUNSELING) THAT SUPPORTS THE TRANSITION OF HOMELESS YOUTH TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND STABLE, INDEPENDENT LIVING.

NESS HEALTHCARE NFP - EMS - ABSTRACT PROJECT NAME: RURAL LOUISIANA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) TRAINING GRANT. POPULATION(S) TO BE SERVED: NESS HEALTHCARE NFP PLANS TO IMPLEMENT TRAINING FOR EMS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE ACTIVELY SERVING IN THE FOLLOWING RURAL PARISHES OF LOUISIANA PUBLIC HEALTH REGION 9: LIVINGSTON, ST. HELENA, ST. TAMMANY, TANGIPAHOA AND WASHINGTON. STRATEGIES/INTERVENTIONS: NESS HEALTHCARE NFP’S RURAL LOUISIANA EMS TRAINING PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO EMS, FIRE, AND FIRST RESPONDERS SINCE GRANT INCEPTION SEPTEMBER 2022 TO PRESENT. DURING THIS TIME, THE NESS TRAINING TEAM HAS DEVELOPED EVIDENCED-BASED TRAINING COURSES ON MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION, CRISIS RESOURCE TRAINING AND TRAINING THAT QUALIFY EMS TO SERVE IN AN EMS AGENCY. NESS’S COURSES BOLSTER THE COMPETENCIES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF EMS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS. THIS TRAINING WILL ALSO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED TO WORK IN MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS ACROSS THE CATCHMENT AREA. PARTNERS INCLUDE ACADIAN AMBULANCE SERVICE, ALL DESERVE ADVOCACY, PREVENTION & TREATMENT (ADAPT, INC.), AND THE TANGIPAHOA CORONER’S OFFICE (TPCO). THE TRAINING HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE LDH EMS BUREAU AND QUALIFIED FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR CERTIFICATION. THE TRAINING HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (NEMSA). THE NESS TRAINING TEAM DEVELOPED A “CRISIS RESOURCES” TRAINING, APPROVED FOR CEU’S BY THE LDH EMS BUREAU WHICH PROVIDES 2 HOURS OF RESOURCES TRAINING TO RESPONDERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON THE NEW STATE OF LOUISIANA CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM, SAMHSA’S TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY CENTERS AND THE 988 SUICIDE PREVENTION CRISIS LINE. THIS TRAINING SPECIFICALLY EDUCATES RESPONDERS ON HOW TO DESCRIBE THE NEW SYSTEM AND 4 LEVELS OF CARE, HOW TO CONNECT WITH CRISIS PROVIDERS PER CATCHMENT AREAS OF THE STATE, LINK AND REFER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ENCOUNTERED AT THE FIRST INTERCEPT POINT OF CONTACT WHICH IS OFTENTIMES BY EMS AND FIRE. THE TRAINING GOALS ARE MEASURED BY PRE- AND POST-TEST DEMONSTRATING AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE OF CRISIS RESOURCES AND HOW TO ACCESS, LINK AND REFER. TRAINING PARTICIPANT SURVEYS DEMONSTRATE AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS, IDENTIFYING SUBSTANCE MISUSE, RESOURCES AND THE ROLE EMPATHY PLAYS IN GETTING PEOPLE THE HELP THEY SO DESPERATELY NEED. FOLLOW-UP SURVEYS WILL TRACK METRICS RELATED TO SECURING LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS. PROJECT GOALS AND MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES: NESS HEALTHCARE NFP AIMS TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN EMS/FIRST RESPONDERS ON 1) IDENTIFICATION OF MH/SUD CRISIS IN THE FIELD; 2) DE-ESCALATION AND STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES; 3) LINKING WITH MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS; 4) INCREASING COMPETENCIES OF A SMALL COHORT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD SERVE AS LEADS ON MH/SUD ENCOUNTERS WITH AN OVERALL GOAL OF REDUCING THE INTENSITY OF INTERACTIONS AND GETTING THE INDIVIDUALS THE MOST APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF TREATMENT. NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO BE SERVED ANNUALLY AND THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE PROJECT: 500 ANNUALLY AND 500 THROUGHOUT THE GRANT PERIOD.

RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TRAINING GRANT - PROJECT NAME: RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TRAINING GRANT POPULATION(S) TO BE SERVED: NESS HEALTHCARE NFP PLANS TO IMPLEMENT TRAINING FOR EMS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE ACTIVELY SERVING THE FOLLOWING WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY RURAL PARISHES OF LOUISIANA: LAFAYETTE, EVANGELINE, SAINT LANDRY, ACADIA, SAINT MARTIN, IBERIA, VERMILION, SAINT MARY, WASHINGTON SAINT TAMMANY, SAINT HELENA, AND TANGIPAHOA. STRATEGIES/INTERVENTIONS: A SUITE OF TRAINING COURSES FOR EMS SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED VIA SAMHSA'S SOUTHEAST MENTAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER NETWORK (MHTTC), WITH NESS HEALTHCARE NFP IDENTIFYING EIGHT SEPARATE COURSES TO BOLSTER THE COMPETENCIES AND EFFECTIVENESS OF EMS AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS, AS APPLICABLE. THIS TRAINING WILL ALSO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED TO WORK IN MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS ACROSS THE CATCHMENT AREA. THROUGH MULTIPLE NEW AND EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS, NESS HEALTHCARE NFP WILL TRAIN AND ASSIST WITH LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS FOR EMS AND FIRST RESPONDER PERSONNEL. COMMITTED PARTNERS INCLUDE ACADIAN AMBULANCE SERVICE; ALL DESERVE ADVOCACY, PREVENTION & TREATMENT (ADAPT, INC.); PONCHATOULA POLICE DEPARTMENT; AND TANGIPAHOA PARISH CORONER'S OFFICE (TPCO). PRE AND POST-TESTS ASSOCIATED WITH EVIDENCED-BASED TRAINING WILL SERVE AS DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS/INTERVIEW PROTOCOLS. THESE INSTRUMENTS/PROTOCOLS WILL ALLOW NESS HEALTHCARE NFP TO MEASURE COMPETENCY AND IMPACT OF TRAINING. FOLLOW-UP SURVEYS WILL TRACK METRICS RELATED TO SECURING LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS. PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: NESS HEALTHCARE NFP AIMS TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN 500 EMS/FIRST-RESPONDER PERSONNEL THROUGHOUT THE RURAL AREAS ACROSS LOUISIANA. THERE IS A NEED TO TRAIN EMS, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND DISPATCHERS ON 1) IDENTIFICATION OF MH/SUD CRISIS IN THE FIELD; 2) DE-ESCALATION AND STABILIZATION TECHNIQUES; 3) LINKING WITH MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS; 3) INCREASING COMPETENCIES OF A SMALL COHORT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COULD SERVE AS LEADS ON MH/SUD ENCOUNTERS WITH AN OVERALL GOAL OF REDUCING THE INTENSITY OF INTERACTIONS AND GETTING THE INDIVIDUAL THE MOST APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF TREATMENT.