The CSWEI Partnership Project addresses mental health, substance abuse, and cooccurring disorders in vulnerable populations
The Congregational Nurse Program and the Congregational Social Work Education Initiative along with the Center for New North Carolinians and faith-based community partners have co-located services and supports focused on mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders in community settings that serve those who are experiencing homelessness and those who are immigrants, including refugees.
People in these population groups often experience many challenges with regard to health care, particularly mental health and substance abuse concerns.
Research indicates that co-located services improves access to care and helps to facilitate community building. Additionally, culturally sensitive services have proven to be more effective and efficient. The Partnership project seeks to provide culturally sensitive and easily accessible services to people in need.
Based on the successful model established through the CSWEI project, the Partnership relies on the interdisciplinary work of professional nurses and social work students as well as lay health consultants who act as interpreters for people who cannot easily speak or understand English. Using evidenced based cognitive behavioral and motivational interviewing approaches the Partnership teams provide
- assessment,
- referral,
- counseling,
- and educational services and supports.
As part of the tapestry of community services, the Partnership is integral to linking and coordinating appropriate care to people who have historically encountered many barriers with regard to access to care.
The Partnership Project, CNP and CSWEI would not and could not exist without the generous support of the Cone Health Foundation.