Project launch: JFCS high-risk child(REN)/ adult family program abstract through cross-sector partnerships, jewish family & community services, INC.'S (JFCS) project launch: JFCS high risk…

Project launch: JFCS high-risk child(REN)/ adult family program abstract through cross-sector partnerships, jewish family & community services, INC.'S (JFCS) project launch: JFCS high risk child(REN)/adult family program (project launch) will partner with providers and FAMILIES of at-risk children ages 0-8 to equip them with knowledge, skills and resources to identify and address behavioral health issues before they escalate and to solidify an integrated system of care for early childhood wellness centered around mental health. Health care professionals and physicians working in primary care settings as well as early care and education providers caring for and teaching young children will become better equipped to identify mental health symptoms, collaborate with mental health providers and learn how to create optimal settings for children to thrive physically and mentally, learn and grow. Parents will learn about child development and strategies to improve interactions and relationships with their child(REN). Children and FAMILIES will be assessed and treated for mental health issues, receiving timely, accessible outpatient mental health counseling. JFCS will collaborate with child and family-serving providers to create a young child wellness steering committee to spearhead improved integration of high-quality, culturally and linguistically responsive early childhood services. This project will target predominantly low-income infants and children ages 0-8 and their parents/ guardians/ caregivers (FAMILIES) referred for in-home abuse prevention and/ or mental health, developmental or behavioral concerns who reside in duval county/ jacksonville, florida and need services to stabilize their family, parent-child relationships, mental health or prevent entry into foster care. Of 999,935 duval county residents, 13% are under age 9, 31% are black, 11% are hispanic, 51% are female and 9% have a disability (american community survey, 2021). Poverty is prevalent; 14.9% of households and 21% of children live in poverty (county health rankings, 2022). The impact of untreated youth mental illness is seen in an 81% higher rate of youth suicide in duval county versus the state (4.7 per 100K VS. 2.6 per 100K) [jacksonville nonprofit hospital partnership (JNHP) community health needs assessment, 2021]. Florida ranks 50TH in the nation in mental health funding. Although duval county/ jacksonville is the largest land mass in the contiguous U.S., boasting the largest population in florida, IT is the second lowest funded county (jacksonville system of care initiative, 2023). Children and FAMILIES in duval county need accessible, affordable, culturally relevant behavioral health care - the demand for children's mental health exceeds local capacity. Wolfson children's hospital treated 1,280 youth aged 0-17 for mental health issues in 2016. By 2021, the number grew to 1,562. Psycho-educational services for young mothers is another tremendous unmet need. The JFCS project launch program addresses these gaps. JFCS will provide a minimum of: 1) 36 physicians with training and consultation on mental health symptoms, impacts of social determinants on health/ mental health, strategies for physical and mental health care integration, referral protocol and intervention services; 2) 40 early care and education providers with training and consultation to help them create optimal learning environments for young children, ensure that social, emotional and behavioral concerns are identified and addressed, referral protocol and intervention services; 3) 200 children and their FAMILIES with assessment and counseling annually for a total of 1,000 children. 75% of children and adults will show improved behavioral health and functioning; 4) all parents in the program (N=800) with an evidence-based parenting curriculum to enhance their ability to safely parent and nurture their children. A young child wellness steering committee of providers and family members/care