Pathways to Well-Being

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Pathways to Well-Being is the County of San Diego’s joint partnership between Behavioral Health Services (BHS) and Child Welfare Services (CWS), dedicated to collaboration to ensure safety, the promotion of a permanent living situation known as permanency, and well-being for youth in, or at imminent risk of placement in, foster care. Under this initiative, all youth entering the Child Welfare System are screened for mental health needs to receive appropriate services and support. Youth with identified mental health needs have a team assembled to support them in obtaining safety, permanency, and well-being. This initiative promotes BHS and CWS working as a team, building a culturally relevant and trauma-informed system of supports and services that is responsive to the strengths and underlying needs of families. Since the program’s inception in 2013, approximately 1,400 youth have been identified and provided services through Pathways to Well-Being.