Component Overview

The PEI component funds programs designed to prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of mental illnesses from becoming severe and disabling, with an emphasis on improving timely access to services for underserved. 

Prevention in mental health involves reducing risk factors or stressors, building protective factors and skills, and increasing support. Prevention programs promote positive cognitive social and emotional development and encourage a state of well-being. Early intervention involves assisting individuals and/or families in a short, relatively low-intensity support service to improve mental health problems and avoid the need for more extensive mental health treatment. 

Funding Allocation (% of total revenue): 19% 

• At least 51% of PEI funds must be used to serve individuals 25 or younger. 

PEI programs integrate strategies to reduce the following 7 Negative Outcomes: 

1. Prolonged suffering
2. School failure or dropout
3. Homelessness 
4. Suicide
5. Incarceration 
6. Unemployment
7. Removal of children from their homes 

PEI Considerations

PEI program funds cannot be used for: 

• Filling the gaps in treatment and recovery services for individuals who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness or severe emotional disturbance
• Capital or technology projects
• Workforce education and training 
• Large scale projects such as social marketing campaigns or training curriculum (State-administered projects support these activities) 

Current PEI Projects through June 30, 2023

PEI Project Number 1 – Parenting Education Services

Nurturing Parenting Education

Nurturing Parenting is a priority intervention, universal prevention program that is a multi-level parenting and family support strategy to prevent severe behavioral, emotional and developmental problems in children by enhancing the knowledge, skills and confidence of parents. This program is implemented by a team led by contract provider, Infant/Child Enrichment Services (ICES) through a program called, “Raising Healthy Families”. Nurturing Parenting classes are designed to help parents in stressed families including those with a history of substance use disorder, child abuse and/or neglect, domestic violence and social isolation.

The Nurturing Parenting Program is an evidence-based strategy for improving parenting outcomes for families in our community. The program utilizes an evaluation tool, the Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI), which measures parent progress, and assures the program is meeting desired outcomes. 

PEI Project Number 2 – Early Childhood Education Services

Supporting Early Education and Development (SEED), First Five

In a contract with The Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools Office (TCSOS) First 5 program, the Supporting Early Education and Development (SEED) program, promotes the social and emotional development of pre-school children ages 0 through 5. This Early Intervention program utilizes an Early Childhood Education (ECE) specialist to provide on-site training, consultation and materials to preschools in the community. 

These visits include observations of the social emotional climate in the classrooms, modeling behavior management strategies and supporting teachers in dealing with challenging behaviors. Children and families may receive targeted consultation, expanded special education services, and/or evaluation for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This project allows children and their families to receive early intervention support and services. 

PEI Project Number 3 – Suicide Prevention Program Services

Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA)

The Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA) provides the Suicide Prevention and Stigma Reduction services for TCBH. The goal of the program is to provide a variety of community-wide trainings, education, and information to open dialogue and raise awareness about risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs of suicide as well as how to recognize that a person may be dealing with a mental health problem or crisis. Through trainings, meetings and community involvement, ATCAA continues to work toward ensuring that Tuolumne County is a suicide safer community and that those with signs of mental health issues are connected to support and services. By training individuals in local behavioral health, primary care, school settings, staff of large local organizations, faith-based organizations, and the populace at large, each year the awareness around recognizing early signs of mental illness increases. 

PEI Project Number 4 – Mental Health Services for Adults

CAFÉ (Connections and Awareness for Elders), Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton

TCBH has contracted with Catholic Charities to provide outreach and engagement services to Tuolumne County’s older adult population. The purpose of the program is to engage individuals, aged 65 or older, that are isolated, lonely, unserved or underserved. Trained volunteers utilize engagement strategies such as in-home visits to provide socialization, counseling, resources, and referrals. 

The program continues to plan events and strategies to reach older adults including providing information at community meetings, attending multi-disciplinary team meetings, and working closely with County departments and other community agencies. 

PEI Project Number 5 – Native American Outreach and Engagement 

Tuolumne Me-Wuk Indian Health Center

The Tuolumne Me-Wuk Indian Health Center (TMWIHC) provides prevention and early intervention services for anyone in need, but specifically targeted to the Native American population including youth and families. By offering programs designed to engage the participants in health and wellness activities, with a focus on connections with Native American culture, the program encourages activities such as sweat lodges, traditional beading, and talking circles. Participants benefit from specific services and supports that honor the culture, beliefs and spirituality of Native American traditions. 

MHSA PEI Contractors’ Forum

Quarterly Connection Meetings

To create connections, build relationships and breakdown organizational silos, the MHSA Agency Program Manager launched an MHSA PEI Contractors’ Forum. This first forum, which was held from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, April 7^th, 2022, was needed to give an opportunity for each of the PEI contractors to get to know each other, possibly for the first time, and to have an introduction to TCBH county staff who work behind the scenes on PEI contracts. The forum’s goal is to foster a support system to help increase knowledge and raise awareness about other TCBH PEI contractors and their programs by strengthening communication between agencies. By empowering our partners and encouraging them to connect, this will enhance TCBH’s presence within the community.

This ongoing forum, to be held quarterly, will become a strong foundation for our PEI contractors that can be used to share resources, events, programming information and more. This virtual environment, and soon to be in-person, will encourage attendees to share successes and challenges within their program, community and/or county with each other for feedback and suggestions from the team.