July 30, 2020 3:35 a.m.

Douglas County and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians have received grant awards as part of a new state program aimed at assisting those with mental illness and substance use disorder who are not getting the help they need.

A release from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners said the program is called IMPACTS, which stands for Improving People’s Access to Community-based Treatments, Supports and Services. It was authorized by the state legislature in 2019.

Of the $9.7 million in IMPACTS funding awarded to six counties and five tribes in the state, Douglas County is receiving just over $1.43 million while the Cow Creek Tribe is getting just over $400,000. The release said each government collaborated in planning their proposals, which were complimentary.

Douglas County’s IMPACTS grant will fund programs such as:

*The formation of an Intensive Care Coordination team housed under Adapt/Compass Behavioral Health to assist 24/7 high utilizers of the jail and Mercy Medical Center, who had behavioral health issues.

*The expansion of detox services

*The creation of Crisis Resolution Rooms where people who are stabilizing following a mental health crisis can stay while connecting to resources.

*The grant will also contribute to the initial startup costs of the Sobering Center and support the Chadwick Clubhouse, which provides support to people with mental illnesses.

The Cow Creek Tribe’s IMPACTS program will focus on a smaller cohort of high utilizers who are Tribal members.

The release said the new programs that will be funded by both governments will “mark significant strides toward a healthier and safer community”.