By Jessica Hernandez
The Lincoln Community Coalition held a regular monthly meeting at the Panaca Town Center on July 23. The meeting began at 1:30 p.m., with board members and interested parties joining in person, via phone and online. Attendees discussed updates from recent and upcoming community efforts and heard from visiting organizations.
Coalition staff members shared plans for their Backpacks for Back to School drive in partnership with Nye Communities Coalition and Nevada Bank & Trust in Caliente. Free backpacks and school supplies will be handed out in both Alamo and Panaca. The giveaway is first-come, first-served for students ages kindergarten to eighth grade, while supplies last. Stations will be open 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on July 26 at 51 Broadway St Sinclaire in Alamo, and July 27 at 1005 Main St between the Panaca Town Hall and LDS Church.
Aimee Fitch, representative for the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Rural Clinics, provided a presentation on Mobile Crisis Programs during the Agency Spotlight. Fitch shared that the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) and Immediate Mental Health CARE Team are statewide programs offering hotlines for families of children and adults in crisis. Both teams offer immediate intervention and de-escalation services over the phone to stabilize crises and reduce the need for emergency department visits for psychiatric issues. Representatives can collaborate with families to develop individualized safety plans tailored to each youth or adult’s needs. Fitch noted that for both hotlines, safety assessments are conducted over the phone and support is provided within minutes. The services also offer connections to options such as outpatient counseling and peer support.
Families of youth in crisis can reach the MCRT team at (702)486-7865, or visit www.knowcrisis.com for additional information. CARE Team is dedicated to providing immediate mental health care for adults. The 24/7 phone triage is available via telephone at 1-877-283-2437. Fitch noted that the CARE Team operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, excluding holidays. For additional information about the CARE Team, visit https://dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/Rural_Clinics_Administration/CARE_Team/.
One meeting attendee announced a new non-profit Lincoln County Christmas Gift For Kids. The group of volunteers and donors will be working together to help make Christmas gifts possible for disadvantaged youth in Lincoln County. The organization plans to present during the August Agency Spotlight. The next meeting of the coalition will be held in the Panaca Town Hall at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 27.