Potential Connections, Inc

Potential Connections Inc. is a nonprofit focused on educating the general public and improving communities regarding behavioral health, mental health and substance abuse prevention, treatment, continuing care and recovery supports, social supports, research, development and adoption of evidence-based programs. Priority is given to activities that impact at-risk youth or youth needing help in multiple areas ranging from, but not limited to, educational, family, substance use and behavioral health issues. In addition to improve the quality of life for vulnerable individuals, some of the public benefits include reducing the risk and burden from untreated, under-treated and poorly managed behavioral health, mental health and substance abuse health conditions. The founding program operated by Potential Connections Inc. is called the icanhelp program (ICH, see: http://icanhelp.me/). ICH is an early identification program that creates "safe spots" in communities for youth to engage with a “safe, educated person” to help them access the appropriate service essential to their well-being. The icanhelp program is a novel school and community based program that trains individuals—viz. teachers, administrators, nurses, coaches, truancy and law enforcement, school psychologist, guidance counselors, prevention specialist/student assistance programs (SAP), clergy, and others who are involved in engaging youth that may need help in multiple areas ranging from education, family, substance use and behavioral health issues. The program builds networks of trained individuals who are designated icanhelp Representatives in their communities. These representatives link youth with the appropriate resources and support (e.g, counseling, tutoring, afterschool programs).