Prevention & Early Intervention

Substance Use and Mental Health

Youth Recovery Connections provides prevention and early intervention services that address substance use and mental health needs before they become crises. Our services are designed to reduce risk, promote well‑being, and support early access to care through school‑based services, Enhanced Care Management (ECM), and CalAIM Community Supports.

We recognize that emotional distress, substance use, and behavioral health challenges are often shaped by trauma, instability, and social stressors. Our approach prioritizes early engagement, coordination of care, and long‑term stability.

School‑Based Prevention & Early Intervention

In partnership with schools and community partners, we provide prevention and early intervention services that support youth and families in educational settings.

These services may include:

Early identification of substance use and mental health concerns
Individual and group support focused on coping skills, emotional regulation, and decision‑making
Peer‑informed support and mentorship
Family engagement and referrals to additional services when needed
Linkage to behavioral health, ECM, or Community Supports for students requiring ongoing care

School‑based services create early, trusted points of connection that help reduce stigma and prevent escalation.

Enhanced Care Management (ECM)

For individuals with emerging or complex needs, prevention and early intervention services are integrated into CalAIM Enhanced Care Management (ECM).

Through ECM, we provide:

Whole‑person assessments that identify early mental health, substance use, and social needs
Person‑centered care planning focused on prevention, stabilization, and recovery
Coordination across medical, behavioral health, school, and community systems
Ongoing support to ensure early needs do not develop into crises

ECM strengthens prevention efforts by ensuring continuity of care and consistent engagement for individuals facing multiple challenges.

CalAIM Community Supports

When social and environmental factors contribute to substance use or mental health challenges, we connect individuals to CalAIM Community Supports that address these underlying needs.

Community Supports may include:

Housing navigation and stabilization services
Linkages to food, transportation, and basic needs
Recuperative or short‑term supportive services when appropriate
Coordination with ECM to align health and social supports

By addressing social drivers of health early, Community Supports help reduce stressors that often contribute to substance use and mental health concerns.

Prevention Across the Continuum of Care

Our prevention and early intervention services are not standalone programs—they are part of a coordinated continuum of care that includes:

School‑based engagement
Community outreach and education
ECM for members requiring ongoing support
Community Supports to stabilize social needs

This integrated model allows us to meet individuals where they are, respond early, and adjust support as needs change.

Our Goals

Prevent escalation of substance use and mental health challenges
Increase early access to supportive and coordinated care
Strengthen coping skills, resilience, and protective factors
Reduce crisis involvement, emergency care, and system involvement
Support long‑term stability, recovery, and well‑being

Our Commitment

Youth Recovery Connections is committed to delivering trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, and person‑centered prevention services that promote healing, connection, and opportunity. Early support matters—and prevention works best when care is coordinated, accessible, and rooted in community.