Colorado boys & girls clubs mental health initiative: transforming clubs to prioritize social-emotional and mental health of young people - boys & girls clubs in colorado (bgcc) will lead 12 clubs…

Colorado boys & girls clubs mental health initiative: transforming clubs to prioritize social-emotional and mental health of young people - boys & girls clubs in colorado (bgcc) will lead 12 clubs in a statewide mental health initiative, which will invest in the improved mental health and behavioral well-being of colorado's youth. Young people are facing a crisis of declining mental health exacerbated by ongoing impacts from the covid-19 pandemic and youth-serving professionals are overwhelmed, lacking the resources needed to help youth cope with pervasive trauma endured from extreme isolation, death of loved ones, and other social impacts. This project will build strong supports for youth mental health at 12 boys & girls club (BGC) organizations and their 69 club sites across colorado. The initiative has the potential to reach more than 45,000 youth and teens, directly impact at least 5,000 club members, and implement a comprehensive system for providing young people with early social-emotional support where none currently exists. With more than 134 years of youth development experience in colorado, bgcs are well situated to respond to the mental and behavioral health crises facing today's young people. Colorado clubs offer children and youth a safe place to learn and grow through building relationships with caring youth development professionals, life enhancing programs, evidence-based curriculums, character development experiences, and a hopeful and positive atmosphere. BGC organizations serve as many as 45,000 youth through membership and community outreach every year. Based on 2021 data, 78% of youth were ages five to 12 and 21% ages 13-19; 54% male and 46% female; 64% were eligible for the free or reduced lunch program; 64% represent communities of color; 35% were from single-parent homes; and 56% lived in rural areas. Using evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches, this project will (i) increase youth resiliency resulting in increased academic, health, and leadership outcomes; (II) equip staff with necessary tools to cope with increasing youth mental and behavioral health issues; and (III) support colorado young people in recovering from impacts endured during the covid-19 pandemic and other traumatic social issues. Funds will specifically be used to further three goals and associated objectives: - strengthen trauma-informed primary prevention practices at bgcs through statewide staff training in PAX tools for human services and other tools, trainings, and evidence-based/informed curricula identified in response to local club needs. At least 500 staff members will receive full and complete training and report confidence in using the PAX tools system. - provide supports for youth social-emotional learning (SEL) through programs, services, and activities that build resiliency and other protective factors while reducing harmful behaviors and risk factors. At least 75% of youth served will achieve moderate to high social-emotional skills based on annual BGC survey efforts. - improve access to mental health care options and opportunities for youth, families, and BGC staff through the addition of dedicated SEL or behavioral support staff, contracted service providers, provision of on-site services, referrals to mental health providers, and/or expanded technological capacity for telehealth access. As a direct result of these supports, at least 65% of youth will evidence a reduction in mental and behavioral health concerns as reported from pre- and post-test staff surveys. Program activities in the one-year grant period, september 30, 2022 -september 29, 2023, will track outcomes through a robust data collection and evaluation program, including pre- and post-training surveys, boys & girls clubs of america's national youth outcomes initiative, and other monthly reporting tools. Through this project, bgcc and the 12 statewide clubs will gain necessary experience and data to identify effective ways for bgcs to support resilie