232-Help Inc

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

"WHILE ADEQUATE AND APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND RESEARCH IS A NECESSITY, EFFORTS TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF EMOTIONAL HEALTH." KURUVILLA, A. AND JACOB, K.S. "POVERTY, SOCIAL STRESS & MENTAL HEALTH." INDIAN JOURNAL MEDICAL RESEARCH 126 (2007): 273-278. PRINT AS A MEMBER OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE, 232-HELP IS A VITAL PARTNER IN REALIZING THE VISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES THAT ARE COMPREHENSIVE, ACCESSIBLE AND RESULT IN IMPROVED WELL-BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. 232-HELP IS PILOTING THE CRISIS CONNECTION CENTER (CCC) IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ACADIANA CARES, OUR LADY OF LOURDES, VIALINK, AND ULL-COUNSELOR EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE CRISIS CONNECTION CENTER PROJECT HAS BEEN GRANTED A THREE YEAR GRANT BY THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES FOR THE PILOT PROGRAM. 232-HELP IS ALSO COLLABORATING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND LOCAL HOSPITALS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO IDENTIFY A LOCATION AND FUNDING FOR A 23HR CRISIS CARE UNIT TO BE PART OF THE CCC. THE VETERANS ACTION COALITION WAS ORGANIZED SEVEN YEARS AGO WITH THE GOAL OF GETTING A NEW CLINICS IN LAFAYETTE AND LAKE CHARLES, AND TO PROVIDE HEALTH INFORMATION TO VETERANS AS WELL AS LOOK AT ISSUES IMPORTANT TO AREA VETERANS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE. 232-HELP BRINGS TOGETHER THESE THREE INITIATIVES SERVING OVERLAPPING POPULATIONS TO DEVELOP A HOLISTIC APPROACH WHICH ADDRESSES THE COMPLEX LINK BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND POVERTY. THE UNINSURED, THE UNDER-INSURED, AND THE LOW-INCOME INCLUDING THE HOMELESS, THOSE LIVING IN SHELTERS AND OTHER ASSISTIVE PROGRAMS, PERSONS WITH LOW EDUCATIONAL LEVELS, DISABLED INDIVIDUALS AND OTHERS LIVING IN POVERTY, INCLUDE BOTH CIVILIANS AND VETERANS WHO NEED SERVICES. OUR THREE (3) VISTA VOLUNTEER'S WILL BE ASSIGNED AS FOLLOWS: 1) CRISIS CONNECTION CENTER VISTA VOLUNTEER, 2) MENTAL HEALTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE VISTA VOLUNTEER, AND 3) VETERANS ACTION COALITION/VETERANS ASSISTANCE VISTA VOLUNTEER.