Southwest District Health Launches Assessment & Case Management Program to Support Youth Ages 10-17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2023 (Caldwell, ID) — Southwest District Health’s newly formed Safe Teen Assessment Program, called the Youth Resource & Opportunity Collaborative, or YouthROC, provides youth, and the trusted adults in their lives, an easy way to find support services and resources during times of need. Through a single-entry point, YouthROC integrates prevention and early intervention services that can help youth improve their health, increase well-being, stay in school, find employment, stay out of crisis, avoid law enforcement and juvenile justice involvement, and help build a stronger emotional foundation for a successful future. The program is provided at no cost to the public thanks to a $1,500,000 grant provided to Southwest District Health in 2022 by the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections.

 Accessing YouthROC is a simple three-step process that can be initiated by youth ages 10-17 or a concerned adult, such as a parent/guardian, doctor, church member, or school employee.

After completing a short questionnaire through the YouthROCIdaho.org website, the youth (or parent/guardian) will be contacted by a YouthROC provider within 48 hours to complete a quick screening and schedule further assessment with a licensed therapeutic professional. The youth and their parent/guardian will work with a case manager to create an Individualized Care Plan. Assessors and Case managers are provided through several partnering community organizations. These include Advocates Against Family Violence, Boys and Girls Club of Canyon County, Nampa Family Justice Center, and WICAP (Western Idaho Community Action Partnership). Services are free and available in Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties with providers having the ability to move throughout the counties to serve youth and families in need.

YouthROC providers can help facilitate tutoring, enrollment or involvement with extracurricular activities, coordinate transportation to appointments, and provide referrals to other providers. They can also assist with independent living skills such as obtaining an ID card, signing up for driver’s education, job readiness skills and more.

“Growing can be tough, and it’s even harder when you don’t know where to turn, or what resources are out there to help,” says Savannah Swisher, YouthROC Project Manager at Southwest District Health. “YouthROC puts local youth and their families first; making sure they receive support when it’s needed. There are no long wait times, just assistance and encouragement to help youth get back on track.”

YouthROC began accepting referrals in February 2023, and in the first 6 months of service, received referrals for 137 youth, completed 71 behavioral health assessments, and supported 69 youth through case management services. In the month of August alone, YouthROC received 38 new referrals for services and still maintains its capacity to help new youth and families with no wait times or waitlists as the new school year gets underway. Learn more about YouthROC at www.YouthROCIdaho.org.

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ABOUT SOUTHWEST DISTRICT HEALTH

Southwest District Health is one of seven public health districts throughout Idaho established to protect and promote the health and wellness of those who live, work, and play in our region. We proudly serve Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington Counties. We work in partnership with our community to identify health needs, design solutions, and implement services that encourage behaviors contributing to healthier, longer lives. Learn more at www.swdh.org.

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Media Contact:

Monique Evancic, Public Information Officer 
Southwest District Health
Monique.Evancic@phd3.idaho.gov
208-800-1262