Feline Connection

HELPING INDIVIDUALS RECOVER FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC - HELPING INDIVIDUALS RECOVER FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC WILL ADDRESS A GAP IN TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR ADOLESCENTS (AGED 12-17) AND ADULTS (AGE 18+) WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE, OR CO-OCCURRING SMI/SED AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS WITH A FOCUS ON PEOPLE FROM ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN FOUR COUNTIES IN WESTERN WASHINGTON: CLARK, GRAYS HARBOR, SKAGIT, & WHATCOM. THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE LIFELINE CONNECTIONS’ CAPACITY TO PROVIDE TIMELY ACCESS TO IN-PERSON, SOCIALLY DISTANCED, AND VIRTUAL INTENSIVE TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND WORSENING OF PRE-EXISTING MH CONDITIONS FOR LOW-INCOME ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS WITH SMI/SED/COD, AS WELL AS CMHC STAFF. SERVICES WILL BE DELIVERED IN OUTPATIENT AND COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS. THE MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES ARE 1) BY JANUARY 2022 HIRE 5 FTE OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT PEER SPECIALISTS (CULTURALLY-COMPETENT) TO ENGAGE WITH LGBTQ+, HISPANIC/LATINO, AND CHRONICALLY HOMELESS COMMUNITIES; 2) BY THE END OF EACH PROJECT YEAR, INCREASE BY 5% THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SMI/SED/COD SERVED; 3) BY THE END OF EACH PROJECT YEAR, INCREASE BY 10% THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SMI/SED/COD WHO ARE EMPLOYED WITH BUSINESS VENTURES; 4) BY THE END OF EACH PROJECT YEAR, 80% OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED IN SMI/SED/COD SERVICES WILL SHOW IMPROVEMENTS IN HOUSING STABILITY, EMPLOYMENT STATUS, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, AND/OR ABSTINENCE FROM ALCOHOL/DRUGS; 5) BY THE END OF EACH PROJECT YEAR, 75% OF PARTICIPATING STAFF WILL REPORT THE EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, THE PROJECT WILL: STRENGTHEN TELEHEALTH CAPABILITIES AND SECURITY; HIRE 3 FTE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR THE RURAL AREAS OF GRAYS HARBOR, SKAGIT, AND WHATCOM COUNTIES; HIRE 5 FTE CULTURALLY COMPETENT OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT PEER SPECIALISTS TO ESTABLISH AND STRENGTHEN REFERRAL PATHWAYS FOR VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND KEEP CLIENTS ENGAGED WITH SERVICES; PROVIDE IN-DEPTH TRAININGS FOR CLINICAL STAFF AND PEERS IN THE AREAS OF TRAUMA, GRIEF, AND ISOLATION AS WELL AS CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN SERVING DIVERSE POPULATIONS; REINSTATE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT THE DROP-IN RECOVERY RESOURCE CENTER; EXPAND SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SMI/SED/COD; AND PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND OTHER INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORTS TO HELP CLIENTS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO TREATMENT. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO OFFER YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING IN AREA SCHOOLS; EXPAND THE AGENCY’S EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM; HIRE A BILINGUAL CENTRALIZED SCHEDULING SPECIALIST FOR TIMELY AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SERVICES; AND HIRE AN INTERN & PRACTICUM SUPERVISOR TO OVERSEE RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND BUILD A PIPELINE OF INTERNS AND FUTURE MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS. THE PROJECT WILL SERVE 1,279 CLIENTS IN YEAR ONE AND 1,343 IN YEAR TWO FOR A TOTAL OF 2,622 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO SUPPORT THE MENTAL WELL-BEING OF UP TO 300 CMHC STAFF.

PPW RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM

ESTABLISHING LIFELINE CONNECTIONS AS A CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC - THIS PROJECT WILL ESTABLISH LIFELINE CONNECTIONS AS ONE OF THE FIRST CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS IN WASHINGTON STATE. THE GOAL IS TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE, BOTH BEHAVIORAL AND PRIMARY, FOR LOW-INCOME MEDICAID-ELIGIBLE ADULTS, YOUTH, AND CHILDREN WITH MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS IN CLARK COUNTY, WASHINGTON. THE REGION IS HOME TO NEARLY 500,000 PEOPLE AND HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE COUNTRY. THE PROJECT HAS A TARGETED FOCUS ON: (1) INDIVIDUALS WITH COMPLEX CO-MORBID (BEHAVIORAL AND PRIMARY) CONDITIONS, (2) INDIVIDUALS WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER (OUD), (3) CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SEVERE EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE, AND (4) VETERANS UNABLE TO ACCESS CARE AT THE LOCAL VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION FACILITY. GOALS OF THE PROJECT ARE TO: (1) MEET ALL CCBHC CERTIFICATION CRITERIA BY 12/31/2020; (2) EXPAND CARE COORDINATION FOR PEOPLE WITH COMPLEX CO-MORBID CONDITIONS, (3) ESTABLISH A CHRONIC DISEASE MODEL FOR PEOPLE WITH OPIOID USE DISORDERS, (4) EXPAND CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, (5) EXPAND PRIMARY CARE SERVICES, AND (6) ENHANCE SERVICES TO VETERANS. WE EXPECT TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: (1) FULL COMPLIANCE WITH CCBHC CRITERIA BY 12/31/2020, (2) INCREASE BY 15% EACH PROJECT YEAR THE NUMBER OF ADULTS RECEIVING CARE COORDINATION FOR CO-MORBID CONDITIONS, (3) INCREASE BY 15% EACH PROJECT YEAR THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WITH OUD RECEIVING CHRONIC DISEASE CASE MANAGEMENT, (4) INCREASE BY 15% EACH PROJECT YEAR THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN/YOUTH RECEIVING BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES, (5) INCREASE BY 25% EACH PROJECT YEAR THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS RECEIVING PRIMARY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND (6) ENHANCE COMMUNITY-BASED CARE FOR VETERANS BY ADDING 1 FTE ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST AND TRAINING STAFF ACROSS AGENCY IN CLINICAL TREATMENT FOR VETS WITHIN A MILITARY CULTURE AND CONTEXT. LIFELINE CONNECTIONS IS WELL POSITIONED TO MEET ALL CCBHC CRITERIA WITH OVER 90% OF SERVICES AND PARTNERSHIPS IN PLACE AND A PLAN TO BECOME CERTIFIED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF AWARD. THE AGENCY HAS RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATE MEDICAID AUTHORITY AND STATE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY AND WILL ADVOCATE FOR A FORMAL CCBHC PROCESS IN WASHINGTON STATE. THE AGENCY CURRENTLY SERVES APPROXIMATELY 4,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR IN CLARK COUNTY, ALL OF WHOM WILL BENEFIT FROM A CCBHC. ANNUALLY THE PROJECT WILL SERVE AN ADDITIONAL 750 UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS AND A TOTAL OF AN ADDITIONAL 1,500 UNDUPLICATED CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS OVER TWO YEARS.

INCREASING ACCESS TO RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR LOW-INCOME PREGNANT, POSTPARTUM, & PARENTING WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON STATE - “INCREASING ACCESS TO RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR PREGNANT, POSTPARTUM, AND PARENTING WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON STATE” PROVIDES CLINICALLY APPROPRIATE, EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SUPPORTS FOR LOW-INCOME PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM WOMEN WITH OPIOID USE DISORDERS (OUD), SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUD), OR CO-OCCURRING SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS (COD) AND THEIR MINOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH A WELL-COORDINATED AND INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE. PROGRAM PRIMARILY SERVES RESIDENTS OF CLARK, SKAMANIA, AND COWLITZ COUNTIES, BUT ACCEPTS PATIENTS FROM ANYWHERE IN THE STATE, AND PATIENTS FROM THE BORDERING STATE OF OREGON. MORE THAN 50% OF THE POPULATION OF FOCUS IS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES GREATLY IMPACTED BY SUD. THERE ARE NO OTHER RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS SERVING THE POPULATION OF FOCUS IN WASHINGTON STATE’S FOURTH-LARGEST URBAN AREA; COWLITZ COUNTY CLOSED THEIR 16-BED PPW PROGRAM IN 2022. LIFELINE CONNECTIONS’ PPW PROGRAM OPENED FALL 2018 AND WAS APPROACHING SUSTAINABILITY WHEN COVID-19 HAPPENED SIXTEEN MONTHS LATER. IT CURRENTLY OPERATES AT 50% CAPACITY. WITH SAMHSA GRANT FUNDING, THE PPW PROGRAM IS POISED TO STABILIZE AND GROW TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE REGION. GOALS OF THE PROJECT ARE TO: (1) IMPROVE THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM, AND REDUCE INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY AMONG POPULATIONS WITH HIGH NEEDS; (2) REDUCE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF SUD ON PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, (3) DECREASE DISRUPTION OF FAMILY UNITS THROUGH IMPROVED ACCESS AND RETENTION IN TREATMENT. IN EACH YEAR OF THE PROJECT, WE WILL ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING MEASURABLE OUTCOMES: (1) 90% OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN CARE WILL DELIVER FULL-TERM BABIES, AND 90% WILL DELIVER HEALTHY BIRTH-WEIGHT BABIES; (2) 80% OF CHILDREN WILL DEMONSTRATE PROGRESS ON AGE APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL, GROSS MOTOR, FINE MOTOR, LANGUAGE, AND COGNITIVE SKILLS; (3) INCREASE OUTREACH TO MARGINALIZED GROUPS BY CONDUCTING A MINIMUM OF ONE PRESENTATION QUARTERLY TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SERVING PEOPLE OF COLOR, LGBTQI+, AND TRIBAL MEMBERS; (4) 75% OF WOMEN WHO COMPLETE TREATMENT WILL ABSTAIN FROM SUBSTANCE USE 90 DAYS FOLLOWING DISCHARGE FROM RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM; (5) 100% OF PARTICIPANTS WITH OUD WILL BE OFFERED ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE HARM REDUCTION SUPPLIES AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION EDUCATION; (6) 80% OF FAMILIES WILL DEMONSTRATE IMPROVED PARENTING AND INCREASED FAMILY FUNCTIONING; (7) 90% OF WOMEN WHO COMPLETE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT WILL TRANSITION TO OUTPATIENT OR RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY; AND (8) 75% OF THE WOMEN WILL HAVE OR ESTABLISH FAMILY UNIFICATION OR UNIFICATION PLANS WITH ONE OR MORE CHILDREN BY DISCHARGE FROM RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT. WE WILL ACHIEVE THESE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES BY PROVIDING EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, HARM REDUCTION, AND RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES, BOTH DIRECTLY AND THROUGH ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIPS AND REFERRAL AGREEMENTS WITH QUALIFIED COMMUNITY AGENCIES SERVING THE POPULATION OF FOCUS. INCREASED OUTREACH TO MARGINALIZED AND HIGH NEEDS COMMUNITIES WILL START IMMEDIATELY UPON AWARD AND CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT. WITH THE RECENT CLOSURE OF THE PPW PROGRAM IN COWLITZ COUNTY TO OUR IMMEDIATE NORTH, WE ANTICIPATE STRONG DEMAND FOR SERVICES. UNDER THIS GRANT, WE ANTICIPATE SERVING AT LEAST 40 PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM WOMEN IN THE FIRST YEAR, AND 45 WOMEN IN YEARS TWO THROUGH FIVE, FOR A TOTAL OF 220 UNDUPLICATED WOMEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE 5-YEAR PROJECT.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS, AND CAREGIVERS - LIFELINE CONNECTIONS WILL PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, EDUCATORS, AND CAREGIVERS IN CLARK COUNTY, SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON TO HELP INDIVIDUALS APPROPRIATELY RESPOND TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES. SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, ADULTS AND TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND ADULTS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS WILL RECEIVE HELP WHEN NEEDED. THE PROJECT INCLUDES HIRING A FULL-TIME PROGRAM COORDINATOR WHO WILL BE TRAINED IN EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID/YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID. THEY WILL FACILITATE IN-PERSON TRAININGS ON A WEEKLY BASIS AT THE CLARK COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER AND ON-SITE AT LOCAL SCHOOLS, POLICE AND FIRE STATIONS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES OFFICES, AND GROUP CARE HOMES. THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND CAREGIVERS OF ADULTS WITH SMI TO SAFELY RESPOND TO INDIVIDUALS IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND TO REFER THE POPULATIONS OF FOCUS TO APPROPRIATE TREATMENT AND SUPPORT RESOURCES IN CLARK COUNTY. PROJECT OBJECTIVES: - FOR EACH YEAR OF THE PROJECT, A MINIMUM OF 90% OF THE INDIVIDUALS TRAINED IN ALL SECTORS WILL REPORT AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AROUND THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND STRATEGIES USED TO HELP A PERSON IN CRISIS; - BY THE END OF EACH PROJECT YEAR, WE WILL TRAIN A MINIMUM OF 300 PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS ON HOW TO RESPOND TO A YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS; - BY THE END OF EACH PROJECT YEAR, WE WILL TRAIN A MINIMUM OF 450 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID INCLUDING HOW TO APPROPRIATELY SCREEN AND REFER INDIVIDUALS TO THE CRISIS STABILIZATION & WELLNESS CENTER; - BY THE END OF EACH PROJECT YEAR, WE WILL TRAIN A MINIMUM OF 300 EMS AND/OR FIRE RESPONSE PERSONNEL IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AND HOW TO APPROPRIATELY SCREEN AND REFER INDIVIDUALS TO THE CRISIS STABILIZATION & WELLNESS CENTER; - BY THE END OF EACH PROJECT YEAR, WE WILL TRAIN A MINIMUM OF 110 ADULT CARE HOME PROVIDERS IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID. THE PROJECT WILL TRAIN 1,160 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF 5,800 PEOPLE OVER THE 5-YEAR PROJECT PERIOD.

PPW RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM

NORTH PACIFIC COUNTY WASHINGTON - DRUG FREE COMMUNITIES SUPPORT PROGRAM

RAYMOND HIGH SCHOOL PREVENTION PROJECT - RAYMOND HIGH SCHOOL PREVENTION PROJECT PRIORITIZES SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES ON THE SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THE RAYMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE RAYMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT IS IDENTIFIED IN A ‘HIGH PRIORITY’ AREA AND SERVES 500 YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 AND 18 YEARS. THE COMBINED RACIAL AND ETHNIC REPRESENTATION WITHIN THE DISTRICT INCLUDE 60% WHITE (NON-HISPANIC), 1% NATIVE, 2% ASIAN, 8% IDENTIFIED AS TWO OR MORE RACES, AND 28% IDENTIFIED AS HISPANIC/LATINO IN ETHNICITY—61% OF ALL STUDENTS ARE CLASSIFIED AS LOW-INCOME. CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS AT 27% AND AN ARTIFACT OF GEOGRAPHIC ISOLATION AND LIMITED MOBILITY. (OSPI, 2024.) A THOROUGH REVIEW OF CURRENT AND HISTORICAL SUBSTANCE MISUSE DATA CLEARLY INDICATES A NEAR EQUAL PREFERENCE FOR ALCOHOL (56%) AND MARIJUANA (41%) BY GRADE 12. MARIJUANA HAS QUICKLY GAINED IN POPULARITY AMONG OUR YOUTH, MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE NATIONAL PUSH TOWARD DECRIMINALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL USE WHICH, FOR WASHINGTON, TOOK PLACE IN 2011. CURRENT (WITHIN THE PAST 30-DAYS) MARIJUANA USE AMONG THE 12TH GRADE COHORTS HAS REMAINED CONSISTENT WITH ALCOHOL AT BETWEEN 23% TO 28% EACH. (HYS, 2010-2021). THE 2021 HEALTHY YOUTH SURVEY DATA GOES ON TO SHOWS THAT 15% OF 6TH GRADE, 35% OF 8TH GRADE, 38% OF 10TH GRADE AND 52% OF 12TH GRADE STUDENTS REPORT THAT ALCOHOL IS EASY TO GET. ADDITIONALLY, 33% OF 8TH GRADERS SAY THEY GET ALCOHOL AT HOME EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT PERMISSION, 60% OF 10TH GRADERS SAY THEY GAVE MONEY TO SOMEONE TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL FOR THEM, AND 55% OF 12TH GRADERS SAY THEY GOT ALCOHOL FROM FRIENDS AT A PARTY. THE RATE OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE AMONG STUDENTS IS MOST LIKELY DRIVEN BY THE HIGH PERCENTAGE OF PACIFIC COUNTY YOUTH REPORTING HAVING FELT SAD OR HOPELESS (41%), SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE (22%), OR ATTEMPTED SUICIDE (4%) IN 2021. THESE ARE THE HIGHEST RATES EVER RECORDED BY THE HYS. THE AIM OF RAYMOND HIGH SCHOOL PREVENTION PROJECT IS TO EXPAND EXISTING PREVENTION INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT OVER THE PAST 13 YEARS 500 ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING: REDUCE YOUTH AND ADULT SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND RELATED PROBLEMS. OBJECTIVE [PREVENTION PRIORITY] 1: REDUCE 30-DAY ALCOHOL USE AMONG STUDENTS FROM THE CURRENT 2018 BASELINE OF 23% TO 14% (-40%) BY 2029 AS MEASURED BY THE HEALTHY YOUTH SURVEY. (TO BE ADMINISTERED IN 2025, 2027, AND 2029.) OBJECTIVE [PREVENTION PRIORITY] 2: REDUCE 30-DAY MARIJUANA USE AMONG STUDENTS FROM THE CURRENT 2018 BASELINE OF 20% TO 14% (-30%) BY 2029 AS MEASURED BY THE HEALTHY YOUTH SURVEY. (TO BE ADMINISTERED IN 2025, 2027, AND 2029.) OBJECTIVE [PREVENTION PRIORITY] 3: INCREASE PERCEIVED PARENTAL DISAPPROVAL OF MARIJUANA USE AMONG STUDENTS FROM THE CURRENT 2021 BASELINE OF 79% TO 90% (+14%) BY 2029 AS MEASURED BY THE HEALTHY YOUTH SURVEY. (TO BE ADMINISTERED IN 2025, 2027, AND 2029.) OBJECTIVE 4: INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, AND OPIOID USE BY 40% AS MEASURED BY THE NORTH PACIFIC COUNTY COMMUNITY SURVEY. (BASELINE BY DECEMBER 31, 2024.) OBJECTIVE 5: DECREASE COMMUNITY ATTITUDES FAVORABLE TO ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, AND OPIOID USE BY 20% BY 2029 AS MEASURED BY NORTH PACIFIC COUNTY COMMUNITY SURVEY. (BASELINE BY DECEMBER 31, 2024.)

DRUG FREE COMMUNITY-TEEN ADVOCACY COALITION

CAMP MARIPOSA AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH - CM-SW MENTORS CHILDREN IMPACTED BY THE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OF A LOVED ONE. COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING WILL HELP 36 KIDS ATTEND THIS INNOVATIVE YEAR-ROUND CAMPING PROGRAM PROVEN TO BREAK THE INTERGENERATIONAL CYCLE OF ADDICTION. CM-SW SERVES CHILDREN LIKE LACEY WHO LOST HER DAD TO A DRUG OVERDOSE. LACEY WAS SHUNNED BY KIDS AT SCHOOL AFTER HER STORY GOT OUT. AT CAMP JUST THREE WEEKS LATER, LACEY TOLD HER STORY AT CAMPFIRE. EVERYONE LISTENED, REACHED OUT AND EMBRACED HER. SHE FOUND FRIENDSHIP, SAFETY, AND A PLACE TO BEGIN HEALING. CM-SW IS A RESEARCH-BASED NATIONAL MODEL DEVELOPED BY ELUNA NETWORK AND STAFFED BY TRAINED MENTORS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. FOR MANY KIDS, IT’S THE FIRST TIME THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR FAMILY MEMBER’S ADDICTION AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS LIKE THEMSELVES. THEY SHARE FEELINGS AND ASK QUESTIONS LIKE, “WHY DOES MY DAD LIKE ALCOHOL MORE THAN ME?” THEY LEARN IT ISN’T THEIR FAULT AND—MOST IMPORTANT—THEY CAN MAKE DIFFERENT CHOICES AS THEY GROW UP. WASHINGTON HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS IN THE COUNTRY. ADDITIONAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE NEEDED: A LOCAL SCHOOL REPORTED MORE THAN 60% OF THEIR STUDENTS HAVE HIGH ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACE) SCORES, INDICATING HIGHER RISK FOR FUTURE SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEMS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS. ACCESS TO CARE IS LIMITED. PER MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA, WASHINGTON RANKED 27TH IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUTH. CLEARLY THE NEED IS GREAT AND CONTINUES TO GROW AS SERVICES LAG, ACCESS BECOMES NON-EXISTENT, AND ADDING THE LIMITS COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED, PROGRAMS LIKE CAMP MARIPOSA PROVIDE A HUGE BENEFIT TO CHILDREN IN NEED. CAMP MARIPOSA – SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON IS A PROJECT THAT BENEFITS THE COMMUNITY BY PREVENTING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN CHILDREN EXPOSED TO THEM IN THEM HOME ENVIRONMENTS. MORE THAN 33% OF THESE KIDS HAVE A HISTORY OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. IN SW WASHINGTON, ALMOST 61% HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS OR GRIEF; ALMOST HALF HAVE LOST A PARENT DUE TO DEATH OR SEPARATION. THE 2016 "HEALTHY YOUTH SURVEY" FOUND THAT 20% OF 10TH GRADE STUDENTS DRINK ALCOHOL AND 17% USE MARIJUANA. THESE ARE SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE KIDS, AND CAMP MARIPOSA IS CHANGING THEIR LIVES. A 2019 STUDY BY LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUND THAT AMONG ALL CAMP MARIPOSAS ACROSS THE US, ALMOST 93% OF ATTENDEES STATED THEY LEARNED THINGS AT CAMP THAT CAN HELP THEM WHEN THEY'RE AT HOME, AND 95% SAID THERE ARE ADULTS THEY TRUST AT CAMP. MOST IMPORTANTLY, 93% SAY THEY KNOW THEY WILL NOT BECOME ADDICTED TO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS. THAT IS WHY CAMP MARIPOSA IS IMPORTANT.