Overview

BeHealth Today, a collaboration between Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), San Diego State University Social Policy Institute, and The Idea Guy®, introduced the Innovation Funnel framework to develop innovative solutions for Transition Aged Youth (TAY) behavioral health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program engaged TAY (ages 16–25) in a structured, virtual design-thinking process to create actionable ideas aimed at improving behavioral health outcomes.

Despite pandemic-related constraints, BeHealth adapted to a fully virtual format, ensuring diverse community participation through innovative outreach and technology-driven workshops.

Problem

Transition Aged Youth (TAY) in Fresno County face a unique set of challenges during their developmental shift from dependency to independence. While this period can present exciting opportunities for some, it often creates substantial barriers for others. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly amplified these issues, including:

• Access Gaps: Many TAY lacked knowledge about or access to behavioral health services, particularly those in vulnerable situations, such as youth leaving foster care, those experiencing homelessness, or those with limited digital access.
• Social Isolation: Pandemic restrictions led to widespread feelings of loneliness and disconnection from community support systems, impacting mental health and overall well-being.
• Systemic Challenges: Stigma around mental health and inadequate pathways to resources made it difficult for TAY to seek and secure the support they needed.
• Engagement Barriers: Traditional outreach and engagement methods were disrupted, requiring innovative strategies to connect with TAY and inspire participation in the behavioral health conversation.

These challenges underscored the need for a novel, scalable framework to engage TAY in designing solutions tailored to their unique needs while addressing the broader systemic issues affecting their mental health and well-being.

Solution

BeHealth applied the Innovation Funnel, modified for a virtual environment, to address these challenges. The program consisted of four structured stages:

LEARN

A one-hour virtual overview introduced participants to the BeHealth program and the fundamentals of Human-Centered Design (HCD). Participants gained a foundational understanding of TAY behavioral health challenges and the opportunity to innovate solutions.

Outcome: Educated and inspired TAY participants to engage in the design process.

WORK

A four-hour virtual workshop guided TAY participants through brainstorming behavioral health challenges, crafting problem statements, and prototyping initial ideas. Teams created diverse solutions, such as improving youth access to mental health resources and addressing stigma around mental health discussions.

Outcome: Generated actionable ideas with prototypes for evaluation.

DEVELOP

Teams refined their problem statements, developed project plans, and created prototypes under the guidance of dedicated coaches. Participants used testing and feedback to improve their proposals, ensuring alignment with community needs and feasibility for implementation.

Outcome: Polished, community-informed proposals tailored to address TAY behavioral health challenges.

PRESENT

Participants showcased their proposals during a virtual presentation to an expert panel and peers. Community feedback was incorporated into evaluations, ensuring ideas resonated with the target audience. The ePoint Resource Locator, a digital tool to connect TAY with behavioral health resources, was a standout proposal.

Outcome: Vetted proposals ready for further consideration and potential implementation by Fresno DBH.

Results

The BeHealth Fresno County initiative achieved significant outcomes by leveraging the Innovation Funnel and engaging TAY participants in a structured virtual process. These results highlight the program’s ability to innovate, empower, and adapt:

Innovative Solutions: Proposals such as the ePoint Resource Locator exemplified the potential for technology-driven solutions to address critical behavioral health needs. This digital platform was designed to connect TAY with behavioral health resources, offering an accessible and user-friendly tool for both individuals and families. The emphasis on user feedback during development ensured the solution addressed real-world challenges and met the needs of its target audience.

Community Empowerment: The program effectively engaged a diverse group of TAY participants, representing various backgrounds and perspectives. Participants gained valuable skills in collaboration, leadership, and design thinking. These experiences empowered them to not only contribute to behavioral health solutions but also to see themselves as agents of change within their communities. By involving TAY directly in the innovation process, the program fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility for the solutions they developed.

Virtual Adaptability: The Innovation Funnel was successfully adapted to a fully virtual environment, overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants seamlessly transitioned to online workshops and presentations, maintaining high levels of engagement throughout the program. This adaptation demonstrated the flexibility of the Innovation Funnel and its ability to thrive in remote settings while preserving the depth of interaction and collaboration.

Scalable Model: The modular structure of the Innovation Funnel allowed it to function effectively at various scales. In Fresno County, the program engaged a smaller cohort of participants, but the process retained its impact and potential for expansion. Whether implemented in small communities or scaled to broader regions, the Innovation Funnel proved to be a versatile framework for fostering innovation in behavioral health.

Increased Awareness and Engagement: The program’s targeted communication strategies played a critical role in building awareness among TAY participants. Social media campaigns, videos, and promotional materials designed specifically for the TAY demographic ensured the program reached and resonated with its intended audience. This strategic outreach not only encouraged participation but also raised awareness of behavioral health issues within the broader community.

Actionable Insights for Behavioral Health: The solutions developed during the program provided actionable insights for Fresno County’s behavioral health system. By addressing key challenges such as access to resources, stigma, and communication barriers, the proposals contributed to a growing repository of innovative ideas that can inform future initiatives. The ePoint Resource Locator, in particular, stood out as a practical tool with immediate application potential.

Takeaway

The BeHealth Fresno County initiative highlights the power and flexibility of the Innovation Funnel to deliver impactful solutions to behavioral health challenges. Key takeaways from this program include:

Role of the Innovation Funnel: The structured, four-stage framework guided TAY participants from understanding the issues to creating actionable solutions. Its ability to adapt to a fully virtual format ensured the program’s continuity and success, even during a global pandemic. This flexibility makes the Innovation Funnel a reliable tool for addressing complex challenges in various contexts.

Scalability: The modular nature of the Innovation Funnel allows it to function effectively at different scales. Whether engaging a small cohort of participants or addressing a broader audience, the process remains impactful. In Fresno County, the model was deployed on a smaller scale but retained its ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.

Effective Communication Strategies: A targeted, thoughtful communication strategy was critical to reaching and engaging TAY (16–25), a demographic with unique preferences for content and channels. The program’s success was rooted in using:

• Relevant Content: Messaging crafted at an 8th-grade reading level ensured accessibility and clarity for TAY participants.
• Engaging Design: Visually appealing materials, including flyers and videos, were tailored to resonate with the audience.
• Strategic Channels: Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook proved effective in connecting with TAY where they were most active.

These efforts demonstrated the importance of communications in building awareness, inspiring participation, and fostering trust.

Empowering Transition Aged Youth: By involving TAY in the design-thinking process, BeHealth encouraged civic engagement and leadership. Participants not only identified key challenges but also became active contributors to solutions that directly impacted their community.

Proof of Concept for Virtual Deployment: BeHealth’s success in a fully online environment during COVID-19 underscores the Innovation Funnel’s adaptability. The seamless transition from in-person to virtual events ensured that all stages of the process, including collaboration and presentation, could be executed without compromising quality or engagement.

BeHealth Fresno County stands as a model for how innovative frameworks and thoughtful execution can address complex behavioral health challenges, empowering communities and fostering meaningful change.