Sacramento's Youth Empowered by Health Net's $100,000 Grant for Career Development

Sacramento Youth Empowered by Health Net's Grant

California's Health Net has announced a transformative $100,000 grant aimed at enhancing youth behavioral health initiatives in Sacramento County. This funding, allocated to the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), will support vital mentorship programs and establish clearer career pathways into mental health roles for young people.

Investment Overview

The grant provides funding for two pioneering initiatives: a Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Convening and the development of a Behavioral Health Workforce Map. Both projects are crafted in collaboration with youth leaders, educational agencies, and community organizations, ensuring that the perspectives of local youth are central in addressing their mental health needs.

Amber Kemp, Vice President of Medi-Cal Strategy at Health Net, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in mental health messaging. She stated, "When we invest in peer mentorship and clear career pathways, we're supporting young people's well-being today — and nurturing the compassionate behavioral health workforce our communities will rely on tomorrow."

Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Convening

Utilizing half of the grant—$50,000—SCOE held a countywide convening on October 15 to explore effective peer-to-peer mentorship strategies that promote youth mental health. The event rallied together 117 students, educators, and community partners to exchange best practices, shed light on existing programs, and collaboratively map out strategies for enhancing trusted peer support within schools.

This convening represented a proactive approach to empower students, equipping them with the tools to advocate for mental health and supporting one another through shared experiences. Encouraging synergy between students and educational leaders, the event aimed to forge a robust support network, reinforcing the importance of mentorship in fostering a positive school environment.

Behavioral Health Workforce Map

The remaining $50,000 of the grant is earmarked for creating a comprehensive, web-based Behavioral Health Workforce Map. This resource is designed to illuminate the various academic and employment pathways available to individuals aspiring to build careers in mental and behavioral health within Sacramento County.

The map will encompass all educational trajectories starting from high school vocational training, through peer mentorship roles, and advancing to graduate studies and licensure opportunities. This holistic approach aims to guide students, educators, and job seekers, bridging the gap between aspirations and attainable careers in the mental health field.

Shanine Coats, Executive Director of the School of Education at SCOE, remarked, "Young people passionate about mental health careers often face barriers in accessing crucial information and opportunities. This investment illuminates the career path, connecting their passion with purpose and opportunity."

Broader Commitment to Community

These initiatives underscore Health Net's commitment to advancing whole-person care and addressing determinants of health. Over the period from 2020 to 2025, Health Net has pledged over $247 million in funding directed towards community-based organizations, focusing on youth support, behavioral health, and workforce development.

Health Net, a pioneer in California's managed care health plans for over 45 years, expresses its vision in making health services accessible for all individuals regardless of their status. Serving more than three million members and boasting a network of over 118,000 providers, Health Net remains committed to uplifting community health—one initiative at a time.

For more details on this initiative and Health Net, visit Health Net. Together, we can foster a healthier future for our youth and communities.