The Idaho ESMI Competency Center's main focus is to support providers working with individuals aged 15 to 30 who have recently experience difficulties with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and who have had their first episode of psychosis in the past two years.
Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI) is the initial period of symptom onset. The Idaho ESMI Competency Center focuses on individuals ages 15 to 30, who have recently struggled with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and who have had their first episode of psychosis in the past two years.
A team of ESMI Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who collaborate, create, provide, and share expertise and best practices, to assist the providers that serve Idahoans who experience ESMI.
The ESMI Competency Center utilizes a Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) approach based off the OnTrack NY model that includes an evidence-based team approach. The approach strives for decreased hospitalizations and increased shared decision-making to reach educational, vocational, relational, and independent living goals.
Studies show early diagnosis and appropriate treatment make it possible to recover from psychosis. Recovery means the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life, even if the psychotic symptoms sometimes return.
The ESMI CoE team assists ESMI providers in being successful with the program by providing training, coaching, mentoring, fidelity monitoring, technical assistance, and support with program implementation. The ESMI CoE team has an emphasis on data analysis and outcome measurement to ensure program participants are getting the best evidence-based services available.