Adapted Staffing Models for No Wrong Door: Linking Resources for Increased Access to Community Services in a Mid-sized Metro in the Midwest

Avera McKennan proposes "Adapted Staffing Models for No Wrong Door: Linking Resources for Increased Access to Community Services in a Mid-sized Metro in the Midwest" to research the impact of workforce development tactics, including training, staffing ratios, and scope of work in a Now Wrong Door setting at a community-based triage center in Sioux Falls, SD. This project would take place at The Link in Sioux Falls, SD, which is a community triage center for people experiencing a non-violent behavior health crisis or needing care for substance use or mental health disorder by providing the required care without utilization of jail or an emergency department. Primary activities include 1) deploying evidence-based training practices for community-based levels of staff, 2) hiring peer support specialists, 3) linking to community-based services, and 4) increasing transportation to research best practices and care team models for workforce development and staff retention.

The service area will focus on the five-county area around Sioux Falls, SD including Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, McCook, and Rock counties. The intended beneficiaries are non-violent, 18 years old or older individuals with a substance use or mental health disorder seeking services in the service area. The Key Research Partner is the University of South Dakota Center for Rural Health Improvement, which has extensive experience researching community-based services impact on the criminal justice system. Key outcomes include: improved wellbeing for clients at The Link, fewer deaths associated with Substance Use Disorder/Mental Health (SUD/MH); a reduction in arrests and charges associated with behavioral health issues; a reduction in recidivism in stakeholder programs; cost savings for key stakeholders; sustainable investments in the Link ensuring future funding; and toolkits for replicable staff training and care team models.