Gateway Mountain Center Secures Award to Strengthen Local Behavioral Health Workforce

Gateway Mountain Center (Gateway) is thrilled to announce the award of $90,000 from the Truckee Tahoe Airport District’s Agency Partnership Program (TTAD) in partnership with the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation. This pivotal funding will play a key role in tackling the acute shortage of behavioral health professionals in Eastern Nevada and Placer Counties, regions recognized as Mental Health Care Professional Shortage Areas by California’s Health and Human Services Agency.

Nature-based therapeutic mentor connects with a young mentee. — Therapeutic Mentor Jared Alden
Jared brings the compassionate, caring presence of a non-parental adult to support his mentees during difficult times. A dedicated and experienced Therapeutic Mentor at Gateway Mountain Center, he embodies the power of human connection that behavioral health care workers provide in helping young people find a secure sense of self and build lasting resilience in their lives.

Local young people are suffering from the dearth of providers and lack of access to effective care in the region—with their lives at risk as a consequence. The youth suicide rate is double that of the state average. Nevada County also ranks third in the state for fentanyl overdoses.

The TTAD award will facilitate the enhancement of workforce housing for incoming behavioral health workers to serve youth. These professionals will function as therapeutic mentors delivering Gateway’s 4Roots Method, which draws upon the healing benefits of nature. They will provide Mindfulness Based Substance Use Treatment at Natural High Retreats and in the Whole Hearts, Minds & Bodies program—all of which are dedicated to meeting the needs of under-resourced Tahoe/Truckee youth. Workers will also staff a future Nature Healing Center.

Through Gateway’s commitment to delivering behavioral services for local high-need youth, TTAD is making a direct investment toward improving the health and safety of young people in the community. Workforce housing dedicated to new behavioral health workers will have a far-reaching and significant impact.

For more information about Gateway Mountain Center’s programs for youth, visit Gateway’s website, or contact Kate Frankfurt, Director of Philanthropy, 415-205-7861.

About Gateway Mountain Center: Gateway Mountain Center supports young people from all backgrounds in transforming their lives through nature-based experiences that connect them to self, community, and the natural world. Gateway’s innovative approach to behavioral healthcare supports young people in living resilient, engaged, and meaningful lives.

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