MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR LATINOS: A GRANT PROPOSAL By Cynthia Iniguez

1. MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR LATINOS: A GRANT PROPOSALByCynthia Iniguez California State University, Long Beach May 2013

2. Introduction • Across the literature, studies suggest a disproportionately low number of Latinos receive mental health services (Cabassa, Zayas, & Hansen, 2006; Dupree, Herrera, Tyson, Yuri, & King-Kallimanis, 2010; Vega & Lopez, 2002). • The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2005) found that even though mental illness is high among Latinos, fewer are receiving mental health services when compared to other ethnic groups. • A national survey conducted in 2010 found that 18.3% of Latinos in the United States suffer from mental illness (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). • The National Alliance on Mental Illness (2003) found that less than 10% of Latinos with a mental illness seek care from a mental health specialist. • Latinos have been found to seek the help of a physician over a psychologist due to stigma associated with psychiatric disorders (Haig et al., 2003). • This proposed project seeks to increase knowledge of mental illness thus reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health services.

3. Social Work Relevance • Social workers will often come in contact with Latino clients who are suffering from mental illness. • It is of great importance that barriers that impede the access of mental health treatment are explored and understood. • By understanding these factors, social workers can begin to formulate strategies for improving mental health access among this population. • Developing a program that is specifically aimed at increasing knowledge of mental illness, treatment options, and resource availability for Latinos is a critical component when trying to improve the access of mental health services among this population.

4. Cross-cultural Relevance • When specifically looking at Latinos, research has indicated a great disparity in mental health usage patterns of Latinos with that of other ethnic groups (Cabassa et al., 2006). • Several barriers such as cultural factors have been found to impede on this population’s access of services (Haig et al., 2003). • Further barriers specific to Latinos come in the form of immigrant status and language proficiency (Folsom et al., 2007; Shattel et al., 2008). • These barriers that impede access to mental health services need to be addressed since Latinos are at a high risk for developing mental health problems (Haig et al., 2003).

5. Methods • a. Target Population • Latino adults, 18 and over, who may be suffering from mental illness and who are eligible for the Behavioral Health Program at St. John’s Well Children & Family Center. • b. Strategies used to identify and select a funding source • Internet search engines utilizing the following key terms, “grants” ,” “grants for Latinos,” “mental health grants,” and “mental health grants for Latinos” . • c. Identify the funding source selected • The California Endowment since it has previously funded programs aimed at addressing the mental health needs of ethnic minorities. • d. Sources used for the needs assessment • Government websites and scholarly journals with a focus on mental health needs and services among Latinos.

6. Methods • e. Projected budget range and categories Expenses (1 year) Amount PersonnelNon-Personnel Amount • Program Manager (MSW)-FTE $50,000 Office Supplies $1,000 • Employee-Related Benefits (@ 30%) $15,000 Rent($700/mo) $8,400 • Case Manager (BSW)- FTE $30,000 Utilities($100/mo) $1,200 Employee-Related Benefits (@30%) $9,000 Training $5,000 • Community Outreach Worker X 2- FTE @ $13/hour $49,920 Printing $5,000 • Employee-Related Benefits (@30%) $14,976 Equipment ($1,200/computer) x 4, ($150/printer)x 2$5,100 • Independent Evaluator $5,000 Total Non-Personnel $25,700 • Total Personnel $173,866 Total Program Cost $219,555 • Indirect cost Administrative Overhead (10% of total budget) $19,956

7. Grant Proposal • a. Program Summary and Description • The program will provide mental health education and community outreach for Latinos in need of mental health services. • Educational presentations will be conducted and informational pamphlets will be disseminated at local community centers, churches, health fairs, and clinics. • Outreach efforts will link individuals and families in need of mental health services with case management services. • b. Population Served • Latino adults, 18 and over, who may be suffering from mental illness and who are eligible for the Behavioral Health Program at St. John’s Well Children & Family Center. • c. Sustainability • Collaboration with the Behavioral Health Program at St. John’s Well Children & Family Center to continue informational and outreach services for Latinos with mental illness.

8. Grant Proposal • d. Program Objectives • To provide mental health education over a one year period to Latino adults, living in South Los Angeles and surrounding communities about mental health diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment option. • To provide information to Latinos through the course of one year in South Los Angeles and surrounding communities about mental disorders, treatment options, and available resources within the community. • To assist Latinos by linking them to the necessary mental health services. • e. Program Evaluation • Sign in sheets and pre and posttest workshop evaluation forms will be gathered at each educational presentation. • The amount of informational brochures and pamphlets disseminated at health fairs will be tracked. • Case manager will submit weekly reports to the Program Manager which will include information regarding service delivery. • An Independent Evaluator will be hired to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the program

9. Lessons Learned/Implications for Social Work • Lessons Learned • The importance of conducting a needs assessment. • The necessity of professional written communication. • The importance of selecting a host agency whose programs and services are in alignment with the needs of the target population. • How to plan and develop a new program. • Implications for Social Work • Social workers are often limited in assistance to clients due to a shortage or unavailability of funds. • Grant writing is a means for which social worker can become involved in the process of developing and implementing programs that meet the needs of the population being serviced.

10. References • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2005). National healthcare disparities report. Retrieved from http://qualitytools.ahrq.gov/disparitiesreport • Cabassa, L. J., Zayas, L. H., & Hansen, M. C. (2006). Latino adults’ access to mental healthcare: A review of epidemiological studies. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 33, 316–330. • Dupree, L. W., Herrera, J. R., Tyson, D., Yuri, J., & King-Kallimanis, B. L. (2010). Age group differences in mental health care preferences and barriers among Latinos: Implications for research and practice. Best Practice in Mental Health, 6(1), 47-59. • Folsom, D. P., Gilmer, T., Barrio, C., Moore, D. J., Bucardo, J., Lindamer, L. A., & Jeste, D. V. (2007). A longitudinal study of the use of mental health services by persons with serious mental illness: Do Spanish-speaking Latinos differ from English-speaking Latinos and Caucasians? American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(8), 1173-1180. • Haig, K., Byron L. Z., & David J. H. (2003). Barriers to community mental health services for Latinos: Treatment considerations. Clinical Psychology: Science & Practice, 10(4), 394-422. • National Alliance on Mental Illness (2003). Latino community mental health facts. Arlington, VA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Content/Content Groups/MIO/Fact_Sheets1/Lation_MH_Disparities_2003.pdf. • Shattell, M. M., Hamilton, D., Starr, S. S., Jenkins, C. J., & Hinderliter, N. (2008). Mental health service needs of a Latino population: A community-based participatory research project. Issues In Mental Health Nursing, 29(4), 351-370. • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2010). Results from the 2010National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental health findings. Rockville, MD: DHHS. • Vega, W. A., & Lopez, S. R. (2002). Priority issues in Latino mental health services research. Mental Health Services Research, 3(4), 189–200.