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64 <br /> within EI Futuro's services. CMHWs will use Spanish-language materials and a culturally <br /> tailored approach to ensure accessibility and encourage engagement. <br /> Enhancing coordination with local providers: Strengthening partnerships with hospitals, <br /> clinics, harm reduction programs, and behavioral health services to ensure wraparound <br /> support and expand access to care, including pain management alternatives. <br /> • Collaborating with schools and community centers to provide SBIRT screenings and <br /> prevention-focused workshops for youth. <br /> • Engaging caregivers in psychoeducation workshops to equip them with knowledge about <br /> mental health, substance use prevention, and harm reduction strategies. <br /> • Expanding early intervention services for young adults (18+) experiencing early signs of <br /> depression, anxiety, or trauma, which can be precursors to substance use disorders <br /> (SUDS), through the Strong Minds curriculum. <br /> • Culturally and linguistically responsive outreach and education: Developing and <br /> distributing Spanish-language educational materials and conducting bilingual workshops, <br /> social media campaigns, and youth-focused community engagement that increases <br /> knowledge of opioid risks, improves awareness of behavioral health services, and <br /> ensures targeted populations receive accurate, stigma-free information and access to <br /> early intervention services. This will include education on the dangers of medication <br /> sharing and harm reduction strategies. Expected impacts include: <br /> o Early Identification: Screen 180 individuals annually for substance use risk factors <br /> and SDOH concerns. <br /> o Timely Intervention: Offering SBIRT and MI to increase engagement in mental <br /> health and substance use services. <br /> o Increased Treatment Access: Comprehensive referrals for mental health and <br /> substance use treatment, including via Freedom House or other local providers. <br /> o Community Capacity Building: Strengthening local capacity for early intervention <br /> through CMHW training, integration with behavioral health services, and <br /> expansion of culturally responsive care. <br /> Community Engagement and Development <br /> EI Futuro has actively engaged community members, clients, and local partners in the <br /> development of this project through: <br /> 1. Focus Groups, Feedback, and Surveys: Latino clients consistently express a need for <br /> accessible and culturally competent substance use prevention services. <br /> 2. Collaboration with Healthcare and Community-Based Organizations: Partnerships with <br /> health clinics, schools, harm reduction programs, and faith-based organizations have <br /> informed service delivery needs and outreach strategies. <br /> 3. Staff Training and Professional Development: CMHWs will receive training in SBIRT, <br /> opioid harm reduction, and culturally competent early intervention strategies to ensure <br /> effective, linguistically appropriate care. <br /> 3 <br />