Troubled local students can access ‘Care About Me’

One in four Pinellas County teens struggle with mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, far surpassing the state’s average of 17%. They now have a unique new resource.

Care About Me is a holistic, free initiative that eliminates the arduous task of searching for behavioral health services during turbulent times. The county-sponsored coordinated access system – the first of its kind in the nation – streamlines and guides residents through the process.

Human services director Karen Yatchum said the overarching goal is to reach people before they need crisis stabilization or hospitalization, which makes Pinellas County Schools (PCS) an ideal partner. The district has already connected nearly 200 at-risk teens with the program.

“They’re working with our youth and families through various traumas and struggles,” Yatchum said of the district. “We’re seeing more and more referrals coming from the schools.”

The county announced the district’s key partnership Feb. 26 to increase program awareness. Many students lack access to behavioral health services.

According to county data, Florida’s mental health crisis affects over 400,000 children, yet only half receive the necessary care. In addition, about 50% of behavioral issues begin by age 14, underscoring the need for early intervention.

Care About Me provides a hands-on approach that mitigates barriers to care, particularly among those unfamiliar with the behavioral health system. Vicki Koller, managing officer of school social work service for PCS, called the program invaluable for students and families.

“Many parents are facing their child’s mental health challenges for the first time and feel overwhelmed about where to turn,” Koller said in a prepared statement. “Care About Me serves as a critical support system … ensuring they can access care quickly and effectively.”

The coordinated access model (CAM) took years to establish. Planning began in 2019, and the county requested program proposals in November 2021. National nonprofit Unite Us was the sole respondent.

Commissioners unanimously approved a four-year, $9.16 million contract with Unite Us in October 2022. American Rescue Plan Act funding supports about $1 million of the annual cost, with the human services general fund covering the remaining $1.3 million.

Care About Me launched in May 2024 after over 100 meetings with care providers and community partners. Over 200 residents participated in a testing phase, and 84% – much higher than the standard rate – went to those scheduled appointments.

“It’s a new concept,” she said Wednesday. “We’re not even at a year yet. We want to make sure our residents know we’re there for them, and when they’re ready for care, the CAM is ready.”

Karen Yatchum, director of Human Services for Pinellas County, at a July 2024 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo by Mark Parker.

Care About Me is not a referral service. Residents can call, text or initiate an online chat with subject experts. Unite Us staffers collect background information and conduct behavioral health assessments.

Participant data is sent to care providers, reducing the number of times those struggling must tell their stories. Unite Us ensures that relevant local providers can accept new patients, with or without insurance.

Program staff secures and then ensures patients attend their appointments. Care About Me provides a closed-loop system with constant communication among stakeholders.

“It helps streamline how to get care, and the more that we do that – it’s stigma busting,” Yatchum said. “We want people to reach out for behavioral health care, just as if they were reaching out for primary health care.

“We kept hearing that residents didn’t know where to go, they didn’t know how to access treatment. They found it to be confusing and complicated. We wanted to eliminate all that work and have one number for … the appropriate level of care.”

Yatchum noted there are two similar programs nationwide. However, one in Georgia is a statewide initiative, and a small county oversees another in California. Pinellas is the first in Florida and the largest local government in the U.S. to offer residents the CAM.

Care About Me also provides critical data. Yatchum said it was previously impossible to gauge behavioral health accessibility and response times. She compared the insight to Emergency Room billboards that highlight wait times.

Yatchum said that information could present new funding opportunities for local care providers, which helps fill treatment gaps. The county plans to increase marketing efforts, and she wants Care About Me to become a “brand name” that residents know and trust.

The initiative’s virtuous cycle now includes Pinellas youth. Koller noted PCS obtains parental or guardian consent before referring students to Care About Me.

“This program meets families where they are,” Koller said. “This approach significantly improves the chances of a successful outcome while supporting families.”

In addition to specialized treatment providers, residents can access counseling, support groups and educational resources through Care About Me. For more information, visit the website here or call 888-431-1998 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and legal holidays.