Tuesday, May 13, 2025
5/13/2025
Project Care - The Desert/Mountain SELPA, of San Bernardino County, will bring "Project Care," training for Youth Mental Health First Aid to at least 1,175 adults who work with at risk youth throughout one of the most remote areas in California. All of the districts served are Title 1 schools with 68% of those in their third year of Program Improvement. Half of the school districts have a cultural and ethnic diversity of 50%-82%. The communities range from the largest Native American population in the county on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation in Needles to a Military National Training Center for 4,000-6,000 soldiers four weeks at a time in Fort Irwin. All 164 schools average 50% of students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, with one district of 15 schools averaging 92%. San Bernardino County has been called the "methamphetamine capital of the United States" and has the second highest number of children in foster care in California. In areas that are isolated and have intergenerational poverty and drug use, our youth are at risk for mental health issues. Youth Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based program that will train adults to know and understand the warning signs and risks of mental health problems in youth such as depression, substance use, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Participants are also introduced to mental health resources that are available in the community, nationally and on-line in order to connect teens to appropriate professional care. The goals of Project Care are to increase the awareness and knowledge of mental health issues and substance abuse disorder among school-aged youth. Project Care will also increase the knowledge of the referral process, linkages and access for mental health intervention to school personnel and other adults who interact with youth. Thirty mental health clinicians will train 125 adults the first year and 1,075 adults the second year of the program.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).