Families Sometimes Need Extra Support — and Asking for Help Shouldn’t Feel Scary

“In Santa Cruz County, there’s a new approach that prioritizes community support to help families, led by the Child, Youth & Family Well-Being Partnership. 

The Child Youth & Family Well-Being Partnership brings together County agencies and nonprofits to provide coordinated mental health, social and family support services with a focus on preventing crises, supporting education and strengthening families. Historically, state and federal child welfare mandates have required agency and nonprofit staff who are concerned about a child’s well-being, to take a “report-first” approach about concerns. The partnership is collaborating on a shift from this historic “mandated reporting” model to include a more prevention-focused “community supporting” approach.”