A literature review related to Hispanic and Latino immigrants’ mental health was performed. Highlights of the review reveal that the most pressing problems are trauma-related syndromes, often co-morbid with depression.  The impact of substance use is less straightforward but most researchers agree that problems, such as domestic violence, arise when new immigrants engage in binge drinking in their late adolescence and young adult years.  The primary recommendation from the review was that in order to be effective, counselors need to built trust among the Hispanic or Latino community by becoming part of family life, integrating into community activities, and providing bi-lingual services.

Site visits were made to agencies providing services to Hispanic and Latino populations in Seattle, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Dayton. Model programs investigated included the Central Contact Point model, the Mobile Clinic model, and the Supported Mobile Professional.  In the Supported Mobile Professional model, established bilingual medical and mental health providers offer their services at a safe site within the Hispanic or Latino community and visit the site on a regular basis. Bi-lingual case management and administrative support services are on-site to schedule and facilitate patient flow and keep clients from falling through the cracks.

All findings were presented to medical and mental health providers in Northern Kentucky in a session, “Hispanic/Latino Community Overview,” on May 25, 2006.

A combination of a non-profit business enterprise, grants, fundraising events, fees for service, and United Way funds was recommended to fund services. The non-profit business enterprise hinges on a separate proposal in which Northern Kentucky University, in partnership with Family Service, will provide student interns to plan and start a t-shirt design and printing business to generate approximately $125,000 in net profits to fund 50% of the operations of the Hispanic mental health center. Also, the use of volunteer professionals is being investigated.

The mental health center will be housed at Centro de Amistad in Erlanger, Kentucky, and will be managed by Family Service of Northern Kentucky.

A business plan has been submitted for implementation of this project.  The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has committed to a Phase Two round of funding to support start-up costs for the integrated health and mental health clinic.

Boone County Fiscal Court met the objectives and the financial requirements of the grant and produced several excellent reports related to the planning effort.