Humboldt Bridges to Success

Humboldt Bridges to Success (HBTS) ~ The program was established in 2018, using the Triage Grant from the Mental Health and Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHOAC). This program builds upon the historical MHSA funding since 2004 and solidifies the partnership between the county education and public health departments. Out of the $5.3M the state invested in this program, Humboldt county received close to $1M to augment the existing funding in the county to support mental health and build out the HBTS program.

Human Capital

MHSSA funds were used to hire additional direct service personnel, fund HBTS program evaluation, and help sustain the project for approximately two additional years. The HBTS program staffed by 17 positions, all of which are direct care staff, was expanded using grant funds to increase program staffing by six and increase the supervising mental health clinician and a peer position to full-time.

The primary goal of HBTS is to provide school-based mental health intervention and support to students, in crisis or at risk of crisis. The program increases access to mental health services by providing intervention and services in locations that are easily accessible to students and their families. These staff work alongside other school personnel to:

• Identify students in need of support

• Determine and provide an appropriate, limited duration intervention or interventions

• Determine if the intervention was successful

• If successful, slowly discontinue the intervention and continue to monitor the student, or

• If necessary, assist the student in accessing more intensive, longer term services and support

Humboldt continues to support staffing through MHSA and now MHSSA funding. Staff adapted to staffing and operational changes due to COVID-19, including transitioning to a virtual meeting format, completing case reviews, and a reduction in core team staff.

Funding dedicated to Training

HBTS staff work with staff at local public schools to provide short-term, school-based mental health intervention and support to students who are in crisis or at risk of crisis. These services are available to students through 12th grade.

Services include:

• School-based crisis response. Staff work with students, their families and schools to de-escalate and resolve crisis

• Crisis stabilization. Crisis assessment, short-term counseling and case management services

• After care. Referrals for long-term assistance and support may be provided

• Education and training. Designed to increase awareness and ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of behavioral health issues and how to respond.

There is also ongoing cross training happening between schools and HHS-CMH to build education, aligning language and practices between both sides of the system.

Number of districts trained/supported

All 32 school districts have access to the Humboldt Bridges to Success services.

Number of Student Referrals

The total number of student referrals from 2019 through 2021 is 17,021. Similar to the total headcount, the greatest number of referrals occurred at the beginning of COVID School Closures, with a 70% increase from the prior quarter.

Note: Student Referral counts are combined from the following categories: assessment, crisis response, individual therapy, group therapy, safety plan, referral or linkage to services/care coordination/case management,

Prevention & Early Intervention: School Climate Curriculum Plan/MTSS