The Lion Health Initiative (LHI) provides mentoring and recreational activities for youth. LHI focuses on youth development, knowledge building, and linking youth to community events to address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Believing community building through individual development is how generational networks are built and maintained.

We work with youth and their support teams to identify strengths in educational, vocational, leisure, and other areas of life to help identify and treat ACEs at the earliest time post-trauma exposure.

Benefits of Participating Include:

Resources Available
Participants can request assistance with obtaining vital documents to prepare for future goals such as applying to schools, traveling, and employment searches.

Support Available
Specialized focused mentoring meeting youth at their strengths.

Assisting Youth with Developmental Disabilities
Increasing their independence. Expanding communication and body language awareness to promote a comfortable socialization environment.

Supporting Youth Involved in Delinquency
Addressing community-based trauma and situations that put personal health or wealth at risk of being incapacitated.

Wellness Checks
Taking care of yourself and finding safe spaces. Having productive conversations and planning for the future at the youth’s pace.

Financial Literacy
Defining goals and personalizing your wealth-building journey. Investing in yourself through crypto, stocks, or a new job? Understanding expenses and how to manage your circumstances. Not an investment or investment advice program.

Educational/Vocational Information
Outlining educational/vocational goals. What industry would you like to work in and how will you get there? Set a timeline, find the process, and start it! Find out more about the topics below or ask about how interests and skills can become careers. Some youth request information on:

• College
• Real Estate
• Tax Preparer
• E-Commerce
• Online Income
• Fashion
• Entrepreneurship

Examples of Experiential Learning Activities

• Hikes and Bikes
• College Tours
• Sporting events
• Volunteer work
• Provider events
• Job Fairs
• Seminars
• Community Resources
• Community Agencies
• Alternative Educational Programs

Current Active MOU	Circle of Care for Families and Children (Passaic) Monmouth Cares
Eligibility	Youth enrolled with CMO. Guardian, CMO or financially responsible individual or organization should submit referral form authorizing services.
Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults
Community Services	Arts & Recreation Art / Writing / Poetry Recreation / Social / Sports Employment / Training Life Skills Training Preparing for Adulthood Family & Support Services Family Support Immigration Trauma / Acculturation LGBTQ Racial / Social Justice Youth Groups Seasonal Programs Summer Camp
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Anxiety Behavioral Family Conflict & Distress Grief / Loss Mental Health Self-Injury Substance Use Teen Issues Crisis / Safety Bullying Child Abuse / Neglect Crisis / Safety / Prevention Intellectual and Developmental Needs Advocacy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Learning Disabilities Special Needs Support Coordination Transition Planning
Treatment Services	In-Community Services Mentoring Outreach Services Treatment Settings Home Hospital / Clinic In Community School Telehealth
Payment Options	System of Care (CSOCI Medicaid / FlexFunds)
Language Spoken	Spanish
Areas Served	Essex County Monmouth County Passaic County Union County

Last Updated: 08/30/24