(PHOENIX – Oct. 25, 2023) – Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H), an innovative leader in behavioral health, has been recognized by the Healthy Arizona Worksites Program (HAWP) for its Community Resilience Teams Community Outreach Days. The HAWP Award recognizes employers making efforts to positively affect the health and wellbeing of employees, their families and the community by implementing comprehensive worksite wellness strategies.

To be considered for this award, prospective organizations must attend the Healthy Arizona Worksite Program training and develop a plan to improve employee health and safety.

SB&H’s Community Resilience Teams Community Outreach Days earned the Platinum Level of Excellence. The Platinum Award recognizes businesses making an impact—both within and beyond their walls—addressing one or more of the many health challenges impacting communities across the state.

The SB&H Community Resilience team holds regular community outreach days for individuals experiencing homelessness. The purpose is to unite the community together in support to provide health-related resources, nutritious meals, cold drinks, and donated items to members of the surrounding communities.

The outreach days promote healthy options in the community in areas such as personal hygiene, food disparity, crisis prevention and information, and Narcan when available for overdose prevention. This also includes handing out donations for much needed items like socks, underwear, t-shirts, new clothes and daily hygiene products.

The SB&H Community Resilience Team works with other SB&H departments to provide much needed items and information for the community, including:
• Community Resilience Center (CRC) Team: FREE clothing, blankets, underclothing, socks
• Criminal Justice Engagement Team (CJET): Case management/criminogenic programming
• In-Home Team: Education and resources
• InSHAPE Team: Education on health & fitness
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Team: Prevention training
• State Opioid Response (SOR) Team: Narcan giveaway & Prevention training

SB&H receives additional support from such community partners as:
• Terros Health: Hygiene Kits, HIV/STI testing on site
• Feed Phoenix: Free food
• Nourish Phoenix: Free food
• AZ Pet Project: Food & resources for animals

The Healthy Arizona Worksites Program is a public health initiative offered by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH). Its mission is to help employers learn how to successfully implement worksite wellness initiatives to improve the health of their employees and businesses.

“We take great pride in our healthy workplace initiatives,” said Marketing Director Lynda Riford. “It’s an important part of our mission to help improve and build stronger communities.”

About Southwest Behavioral & Health Services
Phoenix-based Southwest Behavioral & Health Services (SB&H) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides compassionate primary care, substance abuse and mental health services that enhance lives and improve communities. Services include outpatient mental health treatment and psychiatric services including medication monitoring; assistance for persons with addictions; intensive inpatient care for persons in crisis; residential housing, in-home and supported housing services; prevention services, community outreach and school-based counseling; lifespan services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder; and four opioid replacement clinics. Southwest Behavioral & Health Services has locations throughout the greater Phoenix Metro area as well as locations in rural Maricopa, Gila, Mohave, Coconino, and Yavapai counties. For more information about SB&H programs, services and ways to help visit https://www.sbhservices.org/.