Harris County, Texas – Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP™) Southwest Behavioral Health Regional Director Naomi Chargois shared how the agency is unique in offering competent, community-based, and unconditional care services to youth and their families during a panel discussion at the Health Access and Equity Symposium held in Houston, Texas in May.
“I discussed how YAP works with families in marginalized communities who have lived experiences of being misdiagnosed, mistreated, and misunderstood when seeking mental health services,” Chargois said. “It is not only important to address the unique mental health needs of individuals of all backgrounds, but that it should be a priority. We all have a role in promoting health equity.”
Hosted by the Houston Health Department, the Symposium brought together local leaders and behavioral health professionals who share a commonality in addressing access to health and disparities. Chargois spoke during the Access and Equity Symposium and was a panelist on the Youth and Mental Health session focusing on cultural competency.
A national nonprofit in 35 states and Washington, D.C., YAP, delivers community-based wraparound and mental health services as an alternative to residential care, youth incarceration, group homes and other placements. YAP provides rehabilitative and behavioral health services to young people and their families that are strength-based and connect them to individualized tools that firm the family foundation by addressing their complex economic, educational and emotional challenges so that program participants are successful once services end.
YAP is expanding its mobile mental health services in communities across Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and surrounding areas. The nonprofit serves Medicaid-eligible young people, ages 3-20, in schools and other community sites, but mostly in their homes.
“I shared why mental health care is stigmatized in some communities and how YAP’s core principles make youth and families feel safe, understood, and supported,” Chargois said, adding, “YAP makes every effort to remove any barriers that would interfere with people having access to mental health care.”
For more information on YAP, visit yapinc.org.