Montgomery Council Approves Bridges To The Future Project Grant

From Montgomery County Council: The Montgomery County Council today unanimously approved a $999,828 grant that will enable the “Bridges to the Future Systems of Care Expansion” project to better meet the needs of “disconnected” transition age youth age. On Dec. 12, the Council’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee recommended that the full Council approve the grant.

The source of the funds is a federal grant. The County was well positioned for the grant opportunity because of the Council’s initiative to create a mobile crisis team for children and adolescents. The Council first approved funding for the team in the Fiscal Year 2015 budget in response to an increase in the number of children and adolescents referred to the crisis center for services.

The County’s required match for this grant is provided by the funding for this crisis and stabilization team.

The HHS Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember George Leventhal and includes Councilmembers Roger Berliner and Craig Rice, enthusiastically recommended approval of the program.

“Disconnected youth” are neither in school or working and are struggling with mental health problems. They are likely to be receiving, or in need of, mental health services and/or substance abuse services. They may have been involved in the juvenile or criminal justice system and/or the child welfare system. The goal is to “bridge” these youth to adult services, education, vocational rehabilitation, and employment.

"This was a great example of cooperation between the council and the executive to identify federal funding that will expand our ability to help those most in need,” said Councilmember Leventhal. “Because the council created a mobile children's mental health crisis unit, matching funds were available to satisfy the requirements of this federal grant. The Bridges to the Future program will make a real difference in the lives of young adults."

The funding will expand Montgomery County’s Local Care Team, an interagency group including schools, child protection, behavioral health and juvenile justice. The funding will:

• Establish a local Child Behavioral Health Care Response Service to serve up to 100 youth per year.
• Extend the local system of care to serve youth up to age 24.
• Increase the care coordination capacity of the County wraparound program to serve an additional 24 youth.
• Expand the Family and Youth Support Partners’ capacity to work with parents or primary caregivers and youth.
• Create a culturally and linguistically competent social marketing campaign targeted to families, youth and community.

The Bridges project will address the needs of many language and ethnic groups. There will be an active component regarding trauma experienced by immigrants, people who have experienced domestic violence and increased competence for helping those facing sexual and gender identity issues.
The Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families (Collaboration Council) will establish a Bridges Systems of Care Leadership Team within its Child Wellbeing Committee. It will be in partnership with the County’s Department of Health and Human Services and other community providers and partners in the system such as Family Services Inc., the Federation for Families, Cornerstone, and Way Station.

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