West NY News

Chautauqua Tapestry has concluded the first year of its four-year federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The $4 million grant aims to strengthen and expand Chautauqua County's system of care. This initiative is overseen by the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene.

The System of Care (SOC) in Chautauqua focuses on children and youth aged 0 to 21 who are at risk for or diagnosed with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), along with their families. The objective is to integrate behavioral health services into every community level.

Chautauqua County's SOC priorities include identifying gaps, providing culturally appropriate behavioral health supports, promoting family engagement, adopting trauma-informed approaches, and developing referral pathways for youth transitioning into adulthood.

Year-one highlights included expanding access through enhanced screening and integration with schools, strengthening support through provider training, collaborating with local organizations, building capacity via workforce training on evidence-based programs, and supporting family engagement initiatives.

These efforts aim to improve mental health and wellness for the county's youth. As Tapestry enters Year Two, it will focus on deepening collaborations and expanding outreach to underserved populations.

For more information about Chautauqua Tapestry's initiatives or SAMHSA resources, visit their respective websites.