The Mental Health Association Project Together Mentor Program (MHA-PT) provides mentoring services for children, youth and families that are receiving mental health treatment through the County of Orange Health Care Agency, Children & Youth Services (CYS) and CYS contracted programs. To learn more about the clients being served, please click FAQ’s.
MHA-PT incorporates mentoring “best practices” as defined by the California Mentor Partnership, into all aspects of their mentoring programs.
MHA-PT provide mentoring services for:
Youth: Mentors are matched with children, ages 8-15, serving as positive role models and helping the child/teen become more resilient in day-to-day functioning.
Transitional Age Youth (TAY): Mentors develop supportive relationships with teens and young adults, ages 16-25, and work cooperatively to help them build productive life skills.
Parents: Mentors provide the parent support, resource information and ways to navigate the mental health system.
Mentor services are requested by the child/teen’s CYS or CYS contract agency clinician. The clinician determines when a child/teen or parent will benefit from a mentor. Once matched, the clinician agrees to support the mentor-mentee relationship and will meet regularly to provide consultation and support.
Once a match becomes mutually agreeable to all parties involved, the process of forming a trusting, nurturing, one-to-one relationship will begin.
Studies show that when youth are successfully matched with a mentor they can experience:
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved family and social relations
- Improved functioning at school
- Reduced risk of out of home placement
- Improved overall treatment prognosis
Click here to learn about the impact a MHA-PT mentor can make and read about our success stories.
MHA-Project Together is supported by the County of Orange Health Care Agency and the Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63).
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