The following is a joint release from the Marin County Probation Department, Marin 9 to 25, and the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative.
San Rafael, Calif. – New grant funding has been secured to help wellness programs in Marin County schools build stronger, healthier, more equitable youth-oriented services.
The initiative known as Marin 9 to 25 has accepted $400,000 over the next 2 ½ years in support from the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative (CACHI) as part of a major statewide effort to reimagine California’s health system. With that influx of funds, Marin youth will have more opportunities to take action and have their voices heard in the development of programs.
Marin 9 to 25 helps amplify the voices of local youth in defining and sharing support and solutions around physical and mental health.The Marin County Board of Supervisors on July 18 formally accepted the CACHI grant and approve a contract with Blue Path Health to administrate related grant activities in Marin. The agenda item took place the same day that the Supervisors adopted a resolution in honor of Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week.
Marin 9 to 25, sponsored by the County of Marin and other grant funding, is an action-oriented collective of youth and adults dedicated to realizing positive and equitable outcomes for those aged 9 to 25. Marin 9 to 25 lives outside of the formal agency structure and works to increase collaboration and coordination of cross-discipline stakeholders while including youth voices in its work.
Marin 9 to 25 will work closely with local civic and nonprofits to implement an Accountable Community for Health (ACH) creating a sustainable platform to align local health and social services through an equity lens – delivering help to those who need it the most. ACHs are designed to encourage and coordinate many siloed sectors and players within a community to align and transform local systems, all while centering residents’ voices in decision-making. In short, ACHs empower communities to address persistent and emerging health challenges — and social inequities — in holistic and innovative ways.
In June, CACHI awarded organizations in 37 communities – including Marin – with funding to advance an innovative approach to building community health and equity in coordination between local government, schools, parks, libraries, and community-based organizations. In July, Marin and 23 other communities will launch new ACHs, joined by 13 that piloted the ACH model for the past five years.
The new grant is focused on several activities related to enhancing health and wellness for all youth in Marin County, including developing a sustainable model for wellness support in schools, implementing a framework for sharing data transparently across systems and establishing a governance structure for Marin 9 to 25. Goals include addressing the physical and mental health challenges and associated substance use crisis faced by the county’s young people as well as amplifying the voice of Marin youth in defining and sharing support and solutions.
“A youth-driven Accountable Community for Health is an innovative approach to promote and realize positive outcomes for youth,” said Marin County Supervisor and Board President Stephanie Moulton-Peters. “I’m proud that Marin 9 to 25 has been chosen to embrace this model to improve the health and well-being of all young people in Marin County. When organizations, communities, and young individuals are empowered to work together, we can effect transformative change and ensure equitable access to youth services and supports.”
The Marin 9 to 25 advisory team includes representatives from the Marin County Probation Department, which devotes more than $1 million each year to youth-serving organizations and schools. Probation is providing technical assistance and fiscal services toward the creation of Marin’s ACH.
“Probation is as much a social services agency as it is a law enforcement agency, especially when it comes to youth,” said Chief Probation Officer Marlon Washington. “Statewide, probation departments have taken leadership roles because we take a whole-care approach and try to assist those at risk. We believe that results in safer and healthier communities.”
Other contributing agencies in Marin are the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division of Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Board of Supervisors Office, the Multicultural Center of Marin, the Asian American Alliance of Marin, and the Marin County Office of Education. BluePath Health is to provide backbone support, with the Probation Department acting as the fiscal agent.
The CACHI funding will also support the youth-driven “Find Your Way” campaign, which serves as the youth advisory team for the ACH. That campaign includes the rollout of a Marin youth resource guide in both English and Spanish and a scholarship program for youth who are involved in community initiatives and activities.
To learn more, visit www.marin9to25.org or email info@marin9to25.org.
