HJAR Jul/Aug 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  JUL / AUG 2021 39 Mellie Boagni Bridewell Chief Executive Officer Arkansas Rural Health Partnership 62,000 residents in the ARHP service area and 177 counseling sessions toMAT patients and four peer recovery specialists placed throughout the ARHP service area, and a pilot drug court in South Arkansas links persons that have charges related to SUD. COVID-19 Response Efforts ARHP produced videos (COVID safety protocol and promotion of vaccines) high- lighting ARHP hospital and FQHC leaders addressing their respective communities. ARHP has continued to assist hospitals, FQHCs and pharmacies in the service area with testing and vaccination events. Behavioral Health Task Force This task force consists of 36 members and addresses SUD and behavioral health gaps in the service as well as identifies ways to address needs, issues and poten- tial solutions. The task force has convened 15 meetings since June 2018 and consists of the following workgroups: detailed analy- sis, strategic, sustainability and workforce. They ultimately developed a strategic plan placing the ARHP in a position to leverage additional opioid funding for SouthArkan- sas. The task force is currently focused on creating additional treatment and recovery services located in South Arkansas. n Navigation Services ARHP has a toll-free number that pro- vides assistance to healthcare services, as- sistance services and programs to residents, patients and providers throughout South Arkansas. A population health specialist works with local healthcare organizations to provide navigation needed to ensure that callers have access to care and assistance. Mental Health First Aid Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The train- ing gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or expe- riencing a crisis. ARHP currently teaches adult MHFA, teen MHFA and youth MHFA. In the past two years, ARHP has trained 350 individuals including educators, police offi- cers, first responders, 4H leaders, pharmacy students, pharmacists, Boys & Girls Clubs leaders, church leaders, community activ- ists, women’s shelter employees, substance abuse intake coordinators, college adminis- tration and staff, college students, parents, Arkansas Department of Higher Education and healthcare workers. Enrollment Services ARHP has population health specialists who provide insurance enrollment (Medi- care and ARWorks) and prescription assis- tance. These population health specialists recently completed their certification as community health workers to help them better address the social determinants of health and how to assist individuals in var- ious areas providing support to improve quality of life. Over the past three years, this program has assisted 1,336 individuals with Medicare and insurance enrollment services and assisted patients with obtain- ing 4,272 prescriptions with a cost savings of $3.8 million. Behavioral Health In 2019, ARHP produced an education and awareness video highlighting Delta residents, providers and communities fac- ing the opioid crisis. The video was shown at over 60 events nationwide and is still being used by colleges and schools throughout the nation. In 2018, the HRSA Rural Com- munities Opioid Response Program devel- oped a behavioral health task force that now consists of 36 members. To date, ARHP has provided direct community education to approximately 1,750 residents through presentations, indirect education to over COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND POPULATION HEALTH “Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.”