Department
Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities
Requested Action (Identify appropriate Action or Motion, purpose, cost, timeframe, etc.)
title
Request approval of a Subrecipient Agreement with Applied Research Services, Inc. (ARS) as the Evaluator for the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) FY 2023 Behavioral Health Partnership for Early Diversion of Youth Grant in the amount of $35,935.00. Effective September 30, 2023 to September 29, 2028. 100% Grant funded.
body
Requirement for Board Action (Cite specific Board policy, statute or code requirement)
In accordance with State of Georgia O.C.G.A §36-10-1, requests for approval of contractual agreements shall be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for approval.
Strategic Priority Area related to this item (If yes, note strategic priority area below)
Health and Human Services
Commission Districts Affected
All Districts ☒
District 1 ☐
District 2 ☐
District 3 ☐
District 4 ☐
District 5 ☐
District 6 ☐
Is this a purchasing item?
No
Summary & Background: The Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), in partnership with the Fulton County Juvenile Court (FCJC) and Fulton County Schools (FCS), proposes this Youth Diversion Program (YDP) to provide early diversion services to 1,080 youth with a mental illness or co-occurring disorder (COD) who are involved with, or at risk of being involved with, the justice system. YDP will target middle and high school children aged 13-18, specifically those attending schools in South Fulton County, Georgia. Fulton County is situated within the Atlanta, Georgia Metropolitan area and spans 526 square miles,1 including the affluent suburbs of North metro Atlanta and the impoverished neighborhoods south of the state’s capitol.
Scope of Work: To support the successful diversion of Fulton County youth from the justice system, DBHDD will provide case management, mental health services, and tutoring to a total of 1,080 moderate-high risk youth over five years. Screenings, assessments, and services provided will be evidence-based, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented. To achieve this, DBHDD will develop a comprehensive plan of services to be provided and/or referred to enrolled youth within 6 months of the grant period, including a plan for case management; assertive community treatment; medication management and access; integrated mental health and co-occurring substance use disorder treatment; psychiatric rehabilitation; peer recovery support services; life skills training; housing placement; vocational training; education or job placement; primary health care; screening protocols/procedures to identify youth needs; procedures/ protocols for coordination with law enforcement, local crisis, and 988 systems; procedures/ protocols for direct transfer/warm hand off to behavioral healthcare; and procedures/protocols for follow-up/outreach to ensure diverted youth are connected to transition planning and services. The Case Manager will provide wraparound case management based on needs, such as exposure to trauma, criminogenic risk, current or past substance use, mental health disorders, as well as support and resources related to housing, education, income/employment, and benefits enrollment for both participating youth and families. The Clinician will provide individualized therapy for participants and their family members using Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), tailored to the needs and goals identified in ISPs. Additional psychoeducation services will address cognitive restructuring, exposure, response prevention, behavior modification, communication skills, social skills, parent training, behavior activation, problem solving, aggression, self-control, problem-solving, social competencies, anger, violence, substance use, and antisocial behavior. YDP will operate two service programs for moderate-high risk youth, with voluntary enrollment and participation from clients. (Youth assessed as low risk will be referred to relevant external programs at DBHDD.) YDP’s Risk Reduction program will receive referrals from FCS and FCJC’s Diversion Unit of youth ages 13- 18 with a mental illness/COD assessed as moderate to high risk, using Youth Assessment & Screening Instrument (YASI) & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). This program uses a Wrapround Services Model and will be offered as an intervention before the filing of a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) case with FCJC, specifically targeting chronically absent or truant youth. PreCHINS intervention focuses on Restore & Reconnect Support with a three-pronged approach including family/home, school, and personal/community. Successful outcomes will be determined by goals outlined in youth ISPs, with overall goals to increase school attendance, school engagement, and community connection (i.e., social activities; connectedness to school; school activities, clubs, sports, tutoring; connection to Educational Advocate). YDP’s Diversion program will receive referrals from FCJC’s Diversion Unit of eligible youth ages 13-18 with a mental illness/COD assessed as moderate to high risk (using YASI) and will be offered as a diversion alternative to arrest. The program includes both individual and group-based services/activities including homework assistance, employment preparation, substance use prevention education, and behavioral health psychoeducation (e.g., Life Skills Training, Conflict Management, Anger Management & Mindfulness, Wellness & Self-Care, Coping with Grief & Loss, Higher Education Preparation, Employment Preparation, Coping & Support Training). Successful outcomes will be determined by goals outlined in youth ISPs, with overall goals to decrease mental health symptoms/substance use and justice involvement and increase social functioning, school attendance and performance, and family involvement/relationships. Successful program completion includes 85% program attendance, four or less program absences per month (exceptions made for illness), maintain at least C average in school, and no other criminal cases or behavioral infractions during enrollment. FCJC can request an enrollment extension for youth who do not successfully complete the program within 90 days.
Community Impact: Fulton County, through DBHDD desires to support the successful diversion of Fulton, County youth from the justice system.
Department Recommendation: Recommend approval of the Subrecipient Agreement with Applied Research Services, Inc. (ARS) as the Evaluator for the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Project Implications: None
Community Issues/Concerns: None
Department Issues/Concerns: None
Fiscal Impact / Funding Source
Funding Line 1:
461-755-EDAY-1160: Grants, BHDD, Professional Services