Culturally Responsive Early Intervention Access

The Culturally Responsive Early Intervention Access program(s) will provide culturally responsive early intervention access to the Santa Cruz County region of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District (South County). Early intervention services will include early behavioral health screening, brief early intervention with referral and linkage to more structured behavioral health supports, and early intervention supports for parents and families to prevent behavioral escalation in the home. Services will include outreach, early identification, referral, and supportive interventions for children, youth, and families. The services are intended to primarily serve monolingual Spanish speakers, Indigenous Language speakers, LGBTQ+ children/youth and their families, and other underserved and historically marginalized populations. The intended outcomes of these services are to strengthen early screening and intervention access for children and youth, reduce family stress, increase connection to behavioral health and community-based supports, and promote positive behavioral and emotional outcomes for children and youth involved in, or at risk of needing, behavioral health services. These services will be designed to screen children and youth experiencing behavioral health issues and help them connect to necessary behavioral health services, provide early support to caregivers of children experiencing emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges, helping to prevent escalation to higher levels of care when appropriate. Organizations based in South Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley with established, trusted relationships with children, youth and families in the region are encouraged to apply. It is not necessary to have experience in all three focus areas of service; Organizations with experience and expertise in one of the service focus areas are encouraged to apply and specifically note the focus area of their application. Multiple organizations may be selected to provide culturally responsive early intervention access that addresses the following key focus areas of service. The program(s) will focus on three key areas: Parent Education: Provide parents and caregivers with education, guidance, and early support to help them respond to their children's emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs and strengthen family well-being and prevent escalation to higher levels of care. LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Support: Offer culturally responsive, LGBTQ+ affirming support, resources, and early intervention services that promote the behavioral health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth, strengthening family support and connection. Linkage to Mental Health and Substance Use Services for monolingual Spanish- and Indigenous-Language-Speaking Families: Use culturally responsive brief interventions to connect these community members and their families to behavioral health, substance use, and community services. Interventions will be provided in the family's primary language and using approaches that are culturally responsive to their healing traditions and community values.