ORANGE COUNTY CONSERVATION CORPS (8)

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9. Mentoring (1 page max) OCCC has provided mentoring services for 29 years. OCCC Program Specialist, OCCC Project Supervisors, all CCYS staff, and OCCC administrative staff have all taken on mentorship roles. OCCC has built a strong network of community partnerships to address challenges, crisis, and barriers each youth face. OCCC case managers and staff have helped the most difficult cases, the most challenging, heartbreaking, and tenacious participants at OCCC. We approach each case individually, understanding that life's struggles will happen while in the program, yet challenge our youth to give us their best. At OCCC we hold each participant accountable. We seek, and expect the absolute best out of our youth. We challenge our youth to take pride in the work they complete. Homelessness is a significant burden to our youth. We often recognize one's strength of resilience to build on their self-esteem if they are completing a program while living on the streets. It is an incredible accomplishment. To address this need, in 2018 we started partnering with Citynet, in collaboration with the City of Anaheim, Mercy House, and the Health Care Agency to link our homeless youth to services. Through the Orange County 211 referral system, a VSPDAT can be completed and we can link them to additional support in the community. We have successfully linked youth to supported housing programs, as well as transitional and emergency housing programs. We rely on the Fullerton and Santa Ana Armory in the cold seasons for emergency shelter. We also refer to shelters, as a few more have opened in the past 6 months. We have had housing programs present at all staff meetings as well. Mental health issues and homelessness are often tied closely together. Our staff have received mental health first aid training, and continue to support youth in connecting to the Health Care Agency for mental health services. The health care agency and probation departments also provide referrals to youth in recovery services, as OCCC is willing to support youth with multiple barriers. OCCC staff have taken and sat with youth through initial intakes at the mental health clinics, as there can often be significant stigma attached to the initial meeting with a mental health professional. We also bring mental health providers onsite to present and help. OCCC partners with the Department of Child Support Services to assist young men and women with custody issues, child support issues, and other significant barriers facing a young adult. Substance abuse is a major coping strategy among at risk youth. In the past we have hosted AA meetings onsite, referred directly to Drug and Alcohol treatment programs, NA meetings, and Co- occurring support with the health care Agency. Often times youth are in significant denial, not understanding the risk they are in if they continue to use. We provide psychoeducation using our own lived experiences, as well as the leadership of our youth who are in recovery. OCCC Corpsmember of the Year in 2017 entered the program homeless and drinking daily. Through his recovery, he was often able to speak directly to our youth in crisis about his own recovery. Because youth spend 6-9 hours a day in a healthy program, they often become their own mentors and friends. At times they will also reach out to staff to alert when someone may be at risk, and further interventions are provided by OCCC staff. Domestic violence and gang violence is another major barrier. We've created a safe haven from that life-style. We offer a large network of community resources. We challenge youth to change.