Grant Funds Allow CRHC to Hold Education Opportunity for SWI Nurses and EMS

Clarinda Regional Health Center • May 25, 2023

CRHC Received a SAMSHA Grant for $193,924 in 2022 to improve recruitment and training of EMS in SWI

Clarinda Regional Health Center (CRHC) is excited to announce it has received a grant through SAMHSA to help with recruitment and training of EMS personnel in Southwest Iowa which will assist in providing additional education on responding to mental health and substance abuse calls while in the field.

Thanks to this grant CRHC is offering an in-person one day continuing education opportunity on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Wibholm Hall in Clarinda, Iowa. The student cost of this conference will be paid in full by grant proceeds. Up to six (6) hours of CEUs will be available for those in nursing or EMS after attending the classes. Any healthcare workers, emergency response personnel, or individuals who could benefit from education on mental health and substance abuse topics can also attend at no cost. To register for this FREE educational opportunity please contact Jenny Wagoner at 712-542-8352 or email jwagoner@clarindahealth.com by June 16th, 2023.


Check out the flyer which shares more details about the CE opportunity, scheduled speakers and an agenda for the day.


The generous grant was received by CRHC on behalf of Jennifer McCall, Director of Community Engagement & Grants. Throughout the past year McCall and CRHC EMS team member Sarah Solt, CCP/EMS EDhave co-chaired a committee which has planned various efforts to fulfill requirements of the grant.


SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. Congress established SAMHSA in 1992 to make substance use and mental disorder information, services, and research more accessible. The grant proceeds awarded will be used by CRHC to accomplish four goals in the Southwest Iowa area that include the recruitment of additional EMS Staff, providing training programs for EMS personnel to earn licenses and certifications, and partner with area schools to include school staff in free training opportunities.


Another of the grant deliverables includes increasing knowledge of resources available to first responders related to substance abuse and mental health disorders. SAMHSA has free online courses that can be taken by anyone wanting to further their education. Many of these courses offer CEUs to help EMS and first responders meet their education requirements to become recertified.

Classes can be found at Online Training for Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) | SAMHSA www.samhsa.gov/dtac/education-training



To learn more about this grant please contact Jennifer McCall at 712-542-6776 or jmccall@clarindahealth.com

If you would like to register for the one-day education on June 24th please contact Jenny Wagoner at 712-542-8352 or CRHCeducation@clarindahealth.net

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