Serve Virginia is excited to share an update on the progress of the Virginia Youth Mental Health Corps, a collaborative initiative led by Serve Virginia in partnership with over 45 organizations across the state. These partners include state and local governments, K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, and regional networks.

This initiative is made possible through a strategic partnership with the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest, America Forward, and AmeriCorps, and aims to engage young adults in direct service to youth while addressing youth mental health needs. The Virginia Youth Mental Health Corps will offer young adults opportunities for both career exposure and professional development in the behavioral health field, all while providing essential services and support to youth across Virginia.

Serve Virginia is working to leverage national service as a tool for workforce development, helping to create a talent pipeline for behavioral health careers. Through this program, young adults will have the opportunity to “earn while they serve” by receiving a living allowance and engaging in direct service work. Participants will also earn certifications and credentials that will support their future professional growth.

We are also collaborating with Youth-Nex, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to ensure that member service activities are aligned with strategies to support youth mental health and prepare for careers in youth development, education, and behavioral health that offer opportunities for economic mobility.

Together, partners from across the programmatic, training, and funding sectors are working to create clear pathways for Corps members to earn credentials, including Behavioral Health Technician, Behavioral Health Technician Assistant, Peer Recovery Specialist, Community Health Worker, and Youth Support Partner.

One way you can get engaged and support this initiative is by sharing a survey for young adults and host sites interested in providing feedback on the Youth Mental Health Corps. Your support in distributing this survey will be invaluable in helping us design a program that is responsive to the needs of future AmeriCorps members and ensures that the program is as impactful as possible.

We’d like to acknowledge and thank the Virginia Funders Network for its support in these conversations and in exploring ways to partner with state government leaders to build long-term community support and sustainability for the program. Notable funding partners such as the Cameron Foundation, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, Claude Moore Opportunities, Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, Path Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties have been instrumental in helping shape the future of this initiative.

We look forward to continuing this work with all of you as we help equip the next generation of behavioral health professionals to support the mental health of Virginia’s youth. Please reach out to Analise Gammel from Serve Virginia if you are interested in learning more or getting involved (analise.gammel@dss.virginia.gov).

Thank you for your ongoing partnership. We look forward to continuing this important work together to support Virginia’s youth and develop the next generation of behavioral health professionals.

Invitation to Share Survey with Potential Corps Members and Host Sites

To ensure that the Virginia Youth Mental Health Corps is designed to meet the needs and interests of young adults in our state, we are inviting young adults (ages 18-30) who may be interested in serving in the Corps to participate in a brief survey. The survey will help us shape key elements of the program, including:

• Program design and structure
• Member benefits and support
• Career development and training opportunities
• Credentialing and professional pathways

Whether you are interested in serving as a Corps member or as a host site for the program, your input will be invaluable in ensuring that this initiative is effective, impactful, and tailored to meet the needs of our community.

For Potential Corps Members

If you are a young adult (ages 18-30) interested in learning more about how you can serve your community while gaining professional experience in the behavioral health field, we invite you to share your thoughts on what would make this program most valuable to you. The survey will help inform aspects of the program, including member benefits, support services, and training opportunities.

For Potential Host Sites

If you are part of an organization or agency that could serve as a host site for Corps members—providing valuable support to youth in need of mental health services—we would appreciate your feedback on how we can align the program with your organization’s capacity and goals. This survey will help us understand your needs, resources, and readiness to engage Corps members in meaningful service roles.