County Executive Robert P. Astorino and the Department of Community Mental Health in partnership with Westchester Jewish Community Services and Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES are expanding Youth Mental Health First Aid training, which is part of the county's Safer Communities initiative.

The expansion has been made possible in part by a $100,000 "Project Aware" grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

"The ongoing demand for training sessions shows the importance of our Safer Communities initiative," said Astorino. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our children. Too often the mental health needs of our kids are missed or overlooked. This program puts more adults in a position of spotting warning signs and knowing how best to address them."

Youth Mental Health First Aid, a nationally recognized program, teaches parents, teachers, coaches, clergy – just ordinary people – how to provide "first aid" to youth, ages 12 to 18, for a range of mental health challenges. The program was first introduced to Westchester County last March through the Safer Communities initiative – a groundbreaking collaboration of school districts, police departments and community mental health experts brought together by Astorino in response to the Newtown, Conn. tragedy.

"We're excited and honored that Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES received this grant," said Adam VanDerStuyf, Director of Special Education and Guidance & Child Study at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES. "This will enable us to provide critical training to teachers, clergy, law enforcement and others on how to recognize and respond to signs of mental illness in children and young adults."

Since its launch, Westchester County's Department of Mental Health in partnership with Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) have sponsored seven, 8-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid training sessions for over 300 adults.

"WJCS understands that efforts to make communities safer and stronger must include information and resources that promote health and wellness," said Alan Trager, chief executive officer of WJCS. "Through the 'Project Aware' grant, we look forward to partnering with Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES and Westchester County to expand the reach and impact of Youth Mental Health First Aid training in preparing adults to act as 'first responders' for youth experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis."

As demand for the program increased, Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, Westchester Jewish Community Services and the Department of Community Mental Health joined together to apply for federal grant money to offer more courses. Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES is the lead agency on the grant, which will enable it to offer training sessions in concert with Westchester Jewish Community Services.

The next Youth Mental Health First Aid training is scheduled for Oct. 2-3 and is already at capacity. To meet the high demand, a second training has been added for Nov. 6-7 at Westchester Jewish Community Services, 845 N Broadway in White Plains. For additional information or to register for future trainings, contact the Department of Community Mental Health at (914) 995-5225.

"Westchester County looks forward to a continued partnership with Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES and Westchester Jewish Community Services in this most important training effort," said Astorino.