Priorities Inc

JEFFERSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING PROJECT - THE TARGETING OUR PEOPLE’S PRIORITIES WITH SERVICE, INC. (TOPPS) ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS WILL IMPLEMENT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING (JCMHAT) PROJECT TO PARENTS, LAYPERSONS, LAW ENFORCEMENT FIRST RESPONDERS, AND YOUTH, AGES 10-17. THE JCMHAT PROJECT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PINE BLUFF HOUSING AUTHORITY, PINE BLUFF POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND CARE BEHAVIORAL SERVICES TO REACH 440 ADULTS AND YOUTH ANNUALLY, TOTALING 2,200 PERSONS DURING THE FUNDED FIVE YEARS. TOPPS WILL USE THE EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID INTERVENTIONS. THE GOAL OF THE JCMHAT PROJECT IS TO INCREASE THE ABILITY OF PARENTS, LAYPERSONS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FIRST RESPONDERS TO IDENTIFY, UNDERSTAND, AND RESPOND TO SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IMPACTING YOUTH AND ADULTS. THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO ACHIEVE THE PROJECT’S GOAL: (1) TRAIN 60 (300 DURING 5 YEARS) PARENTS WITH CHILDREN AGE 18 AND UNDER IN YMHFA AND 60 LAYPERSONS IN YMHFA OR MHFA (300 DURING 5 YEARS) (2) TRAIN 20 (100 DURING 5 YEARS) LAW ENFORCEMENT FIRST RESPONDERS IN YMHFA OR MHFHA; (3) PROVIDE A 1-HOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE PRESENTATION TO 300 YOUTH, AGES 10-17 (1,500 DURING 5 YEARS); (4)SUSTAIN AND EXPAND THE NUMBER OF YMHFA/MHFA TRAININGS HELD IN THE COMMUNITY BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TRAINERS; AND (5) DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE RELATED TOPICS AND RESOURCES AND EXPAND TOPPS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ARTICLES ON MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, SERVICES PROVIDERS, ETC.