Utah Department of Health and Human Services receives $650K Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The Utah youth experiencing homelessness early diversion initiative (yehdi) program diverts homeless youth and young adults from justice system involvement into community-based programs. - the Utah Department Of Health And Human Services, office of substance use and mental health, will implement the youth experiencing homelessness early diversion initiative in salt lake county to divert youth and young adults ages 15–22 who are experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness and have mental illness or co-occurring disorders from juvenile or criminal justice involvement before arrest or booking. Serving a county of 1,240,937 residents, including 148,052 youth and young adults, the program will provide case management, outreach, crisis assessment and intervention, brief interventions, and individual therapy, with referrals to long-term services such as assertive community treatment, medication management, integrated treatment, peer recovery support, psychiatric rehabilitation, supported employment, and assistance with daily living. An early diversion coalition will coordinate behavioral health, justice, housing, and employment partners. The program will serve 175 participants annually and 875 over five years, with follow-up at 30, 60, and 90 days after referral to assess access to care. It will also train staff from at least 25 community-based or stakeholder organizations annually, totaling 125 over five years. Goals are to improve access to behavioral health services and increase diversion from juvenile and criminal justice systems.