Youth Behavioral Health & Justice Community of Practice (2025-2026)
You don’t have to navigate complex reforms alone
A shared space for rural collaboration and real solutions.
The Population Health Innovation Lab (PHIL), through the Northern ACEs Collaborative (NAC) and with support from the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR), launched the Rural Resilience Innovation Hub (RRIH)’s Youth Behavioral Health & Justice Community of Practice (CoP). Rather than introducing a new program or service model, RRIH invests in the strengths already present in rural communities by creating structured spaces for peer learning, relationship-building, and cross-sector collaboration.
From November 2025 through June 2026, RRIH convened practitioners, leaders, researchers, and community partners from behavioral health, probation, education, public health, academia, and community-based organizations across Northern California. Through monthly virtual convenings, in-person gatherings, and focused learning opportunities, participants explored emerging policies and practices, shared implementation strategies, exchanged implementation lessons, and identified opportunities, participants:
- Explored emerging behavioral health and youth justice policies and practices.
- Shared implementation strategies and lessons learned from their local communities.
- Identified opportunities to better align services and supports across sectors and counties.
- Strengthened relationships that support collaborative problem-solving and innovation.
Participants reported stronger cross-sector relationships, increased confidence navigating evolving state initiatives, and greater ability to apply new tools and approaches in their local work. The CoP also reduced isolation by connecting individuals who often work across vast geographic distances and cultivated a growing network committed to improving outcomes for children, youth, and families in rural communities.
Resource Library
Explore the Youth Behavioral Health & Justice Community of Practice resource collection, featuring presentation materials, practical tools, convening resources, and additional materials shared throughout the Community of Practice to support continued learning, collaboration, and implementation.
Past Meetings
June 18 | Pop-Up: NAC Regional ACEs Data Dashboard Showcase
This session explored the newly launched NAC Regional ACEs Data Dashboard, developed in partnership with the Northern ACEs Collaborative. During the session, participants explored this new resource, which compiles data and evidence from across the ten-county region to highlight local needs and the long-term impacts of ACE-associated health conditions. The dashboard is designed to support planning, collaboration, and implementation efforts by providing partners with accessible, region-specific data and insights.
As Version 1 of the dashboard, the showcase also provided an opportunity for partners to share feedback and recommendations to help refine and expand the resource over time.
May 19 | Rural Resilience Innovation Hub In-Person Meeting & Training
This session brought together partners from across rural Northern California for an in-person Rural Resilience Innovation Hub (RRIH) convening and training, which took place in Redding, CA at the McConnell Foundation. The agenda included a review of newly updated Northern ACEs Collaborative (NAC) regional data presented by Seun Aluko, PHIL’s Director of Applied Research and Implementation, as well as a training on Single-Session Consultation (SSC).
Guest trainers for the SSC model included Megan S. Irgens, Ph.D., and Lauren Haack of the University of California, San Francisco. Participants gained practical insights into the SSC model, including its structured approach and evidence-based strategies, and explored how these tools can support children, youth, and families across settings while strengthening partnerships in rural communities. The session also included facilitated tabletop discussions to encourage peer exchange and collaboration.
April 23 | Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) and Less Restrictive Programs: A Plain-Language Overview for Counties
Guest speakers Angeles Zaragoza, subject matter expert in Less Restrictive Programs at the Office of Youth and Community Restoration, part of the California Health and Human Services Agency, and Michael M. Massa, Ed.D., Chief of the Health Policy Division at OYCR, provided an overview of OYCR and shared examples of least restrictive programs.
Speakers offered practical insights on how counties could align services, partnerships, and planning to meet the Court’s expectations and better support young people in the community.
March 19 | Rural Resilience Innovation Hub Session: Leveraging CYBHI to Support Youth and Families
Guest speakers from the California Department of Health Care Services, Office of Strategic Partnerships, Josh Armstrong, Unit Chief of the School-Based Services Branch, and Tisha Monteiro, Branch Chief of the Delivery Systems and Operations Branch, provided a practical overview of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) and its opportunities to support youth and families better. JoNell Amacker, NCC, Director of School-Based Mental Health & Wellness at the Tehama County Department of Education, also contributed insights from Tehama County’s school-based mental health programs.
Speakers highlighted ongoing programs and resources, including the CYBHI Fee Schedule and Certified Wellness Coach services, and shared how communities and partners could access and leverage these opportunities to support their local communities.
March 17 | Deep Dive: CalAIM Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative
This session provided an overview of the CalAIM Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative, including background information, eligibility requirements, and key considerations for organizations interested in participating as providers. Participants from CPIs across California attended and engaged in an open Q&A. The session concluded with CalAIM announcements and policy updates, along with an opportunity for Northwest and Southwest CPI participants to share feedback on their experiences.
February 19: Rural Resilience Related County Plans: Opportunities for Collaboration
This session provided a high-level overview of key county planning requirements and how they intersect, including Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) plans, Office of Youth and Community Restoration Youth Justice plans, and Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Participants explored practical opportunities to align these efforts in support of children, youth, and families.
January 22: Community-Engaged Practices
This session focused on community-engaged practices and featured Megan Irgens and Karen Pautz, two guest speakers deeply engaged in rural community work to explore what these partnerships look like in real rural contexts, what makes them work, and what we can learn from one another.
December 18: Strengthening Partnerships Across Systems
This session focused on building collaborative partnerships that foster trust and cross-sector support by taking a systems approach, grounded in shared goals and accountability to the communities we serve. Featuring guest speaker Ronni Duncan, Manager of Care Management with Adventist Health, participants had the opportunity to connect with peers, reflect on real partnership challenges, and surface practical insights from across counties and sectors. Recording available upon request.
November 20: The Population Health Innovation Lab (PHIL) and the Northern ACEs Collaborative (NAC), with support from the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR), hosted a virtual kickoff to launch the Rural Resilience Innovation Hub(RRIH)—a space for shared learning, reflection, and action across youth-serving systems.
The session focused on the key findings received through a survey of 160 rural partners across 57 counties to shape how this shared learning space evolves moving forward. Recording available upon request.
Who’s Behind This Work
The Population Health Innovation Lab (PHIL) extends our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the Rural Resilience Innovation Hub (RRIH) Youth Behavioral Health & Justice Community of Practice (CoP).
The Youth Behavioral Health & Justice CoP was made possible through the partnership and support of the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) and the many practitioners, community leaders, researchers, and organizations who generously shared their time, expertise, and lived experience throughout the initiative.
If you are interested in learning more about the Youth Behavioral Health & Justice CoP, contact us at info@pophealthinnovationlab.org
