Community Mental Health Workers

Building a Community Drop In Center

Host Tim Rabolt sits down with Amy Snodgrass and Tina Persinger from Calhoun County, West Virginia to share the story of how a rural community transformed local input into a thriving drop-in center. Amy and Tina discuss the county’s local champion, the development of a new building, and the measurable impact, while offering practical advice for other rural communities seeking to build something similar.

Strengthening Youth Prevention in Rural Communities (Parts 1 & 2)

In this two‑part conversation, host Tim Rabolt speaks with Lisa Willis Gidley of 4C Health and Dr. Deborah Casper of the University of Alabama to explore what effective youth prevention looks like in rural communities. In the first part, the discussion spans early‑intervention strategies, school partnerships, and evidence‑based curricula with Dr. Deborah Casper. In the second part, the discussion shifts into school‑based behavioral health models with Lisa Willis Gidley. Together, they highlight how rural schools can integrate prevention, treatment, and recovery supports, even with limited resources, while creating youth‑centered spaces, drop‑in centers, and recovery‑oriented environments that strengthen student wellbeing. The contents in this TA resource are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, JBS International, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Utilizing Peers in Hospital Settings

In this two‑part episode, host Tim Rabolt explores how peers are reshaping care delivery in hospital environments. Part 1 features Lindsay Westbrook and Sean Hopler from Summit Healthcare, who recount early skepticism, breakthrough patient encounters, and the measurable outcomes, like reduced behavioral hold hours, that followed integrating peer support into the emergency department. Part 2 expands the lens with a statewide perspective from Mike Krafick, who shares insights on training peers for clinical settings, addressing stigma, and scaling peer programs across 22 counties. Together, the conversations spotlight both the human stories and the system‑level strategies driving sustainable peer integration. The contents in this TA resource are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, JBS International, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Enhancing Treatment Retention for Patients

In the second episode, Tim Rabolt and Dr. C delve into the critical topic of treatment retention for patients with opioid use disorder. Dr. C explains the distinction between treatment engagement and retention, emphasizing the need for continuous support and understanding of patient challenges. They discuss measurement strategies for retention and the importance of respecting patient autonomy regarding treatment duration. Additionally, practical strategies for improving appointment attendance are shared, including addressing barriers and maintaining open communication. Dr. C also highlights the significance of using appropriate medication protocols to enhance retention rates. The contents in this TA resource are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, JBS International, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Engaging Patients in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

In this episode, Tim Rabolt and Dr. C discuss the challenges faced by clinicians in engaging patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) in treatment. Dr. C highlights the importance of understanding patient autonomy and the need for clinicians to reframe their approach to treatment, emphasizing the "R" strategy: relearn, reframe, recognize, recommend, retain, and repeat. They also explore the value of non-clinical options, such as peer support, and suggest ways to normalize OUD treatment within healthcare settings to increase awareness and engagement. The contents in this TA resource are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, JBS International, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.