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9. Mentoring (1 page max) <br />Due to COVID-19, OCCC is following the guidelines of the CDC. Please refer to attached OCCC <br />COVID-19 Policies and Procedures which are subject to change. <br />OCCC has provided mentoring services for 25 years. OCCC Program Specialist, OCCC Project <br />Supervisors, all CCYS staff, and OCCC administrative staff have all taken on mentorship roles. <br />OCCC has built a strong network of community partnerships to address challenges, crisis, and <br />barriers each youth face. OCCC case managers and staff have helped the most difficult cases, the <br />most challenging, heartbreaking, and tenacious participants at OCCC. We approach each case <br />individually, understanding that life's struggles will happen while in the program, yet challenge <br />our youth to give us their best. At OCCC we hold each participant accountable. We seek, and <br />expect the absolute best out of our youth. We challenge our youth to take pride in the work they <br />complete. <br />Homelessness is a significant burden to our youth. We often recognize one's strength of <br />resilience to build on their self-esteem if they are completing a program while living on the <br />streets. It is an incredible accomplishment. To address this need, in 2018 we started partnering <br />with Citynet, in collaboration with the City of Anaheim, Mercy House, and the Health Care <br />Agency to link our homeless youth to services. Through the Orange County 211 referral system, <br />a VSPDAT can be completed and we can link them to additional support in the community. We <br />have successfully linked youth to supported housing programs, as well as transitional and <br />emergency housing programs. We rely on the Fullerton and Santa Ana Armory in the cold <br />seasons for emergency shelter. We also refer to shelters, as a few more have opened in the past 6 <br />months. We have had housing programs present at all staff meetings as well. <br />Mental health issues and homelessness are often tied closely together. Our staff have received <br />mental health first aid training, and continue to support youth in connecting to the Health Care <br />Agency for mental health services. The health care agency and probation departments also <br />provide referrals to youth in recovery services, as OCCC is willing to support youth with <br />multiple barriers. OCCC staff have taken and sat with youth through initial intakes at the mental <br />health clinics, as there can often be significant stigma attached to the initial meeting with a <br />mental health professional. We also bring mental health providers onsite to present and help. <br />OCCC partners with the Department of Child Support Services to assist young men and women <br />with custody issues, child support issues, and other significant barriers facing a _young adult. <br />Substance abuse is a malor coping strategy among at risk youth. In the past we have hosted AA <br />meetings onsite, referred directly to Drug and Alcohol treatment programs, NA meetings, and <br />Co-occurring support with the health care Agency. Often times youth are in significant denial, <br />not understanding the risk they are in if they continue to use. We provide psychoeducation using <br />our own lived experiences, as well as the leadership of our youth who are in recovery. OCCC <br />Corpsmember of the Year in 2017 entered the program homeless and drinking daily. Through his <br />recovery, he was often able to speak directly to our youth in crisis about his own recovery. <br />Because youth spend 6-9 hours a day in a healthy program, they often become their own mentors <br />and friends. At times they will also reach out to staff to alert when someone may be at risk, and <br />further interventions are provided by OCCC staff. <br />