Mental Health Awareness Training Grant - Kalamazoo
Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK)
Community Mental Health
Healthcare Industry
Organizations Involved
Occupations Impacted
Emergency Medical Technicians; Paramedics
Workforce Development Focus
Improving the quality of healthcare workforce
Workforce Issue Addressed
Training current healthcare professionals in new techniques or practices; Training current healthcare professionals in SDOH, implicit bias, or on other subjects that will help professionals provide more culturally-competent and/or patient-centered care
Description
Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) received a grant from SAMHSA to train over 1,200 staff members from 2 EMS ambulance companies and 15 fire departments throughout Kalamazoo County in Mental Health First Aid over a 5-year period. The goal of this grant funding is to increase capacity of EMS and fire personnel to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use, de-escalate a crisis and refer individuals for additional help. The grant funds will also be used to train caregivers of older adults and organizations serving older adults.