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Nevada County

Mono County

We’re Glad You’re Here

Welcome to ������Ƶ New Compass. If you’re visiting our website, it’s possible that you or a young person you know is possibly experiencing new and unfamiliar signs of mental illness and psychosis.

While these experiences can be confusing and scary, the good news is getting care early in this process — through early intervention and treatment — can help.

Why is it Important to Get Care Early?

With early intervention and treatment, there is an opportunity to slow the progression of mental illness and psychosis, and build knowledge, skills, and healthcare supports to reduce the impact of the illness on a young person’s life.

Early intervention can help young people stay on the paths they set for themselves and their lives, moving forward with education, relationships, meaningful careers, and working to achieve the dreams, goals, and ambitions that matter most.

What are Early Signs of Psychosis?

The following things can indicate a temporary reaction to significant stressors, or they can be early signs of a developing psychotic illness. If the young person presents a combination of these signs, or the signs appear to worsen over time, this may indicate the onset of a mental illness.

• Difficulty in maintaining focus, concentration or memory

• Hearing sounds or voices, seeing visions, or experiencing strange sensations that others don’t perceive

• Difficulty with conversations

• Feeling overly fearful or suspicious

• Changes in sensitivity to light, sound or touch; decreased sense of smell

• Dramatic changes in behaviors, ideas, sleep, or appetite

• Withdrawal from friends and family

• Deterioration in school or work functioning

• Suicidal thoughts

Referrals

All referrals to New Compass are currently processed through County Behavioral Health Services.

• To request an evaluation, please reach out to your local behavioral health division (Nevada County Behavioral Health Services or Mono County Behavioral Health Services)

• They will conduct an initial screening to determine eligibility.

• If eligible, the county behavioral health division will forward the referral to ������Ƶ New Compass.

• Once the referral is received, New Compass will contact the referred parties to schedule an evaluation.

General Inquiries

Please feel free to reach out to us for more information:

• newcompass@telecarecorp.com

• (877) 205-6175

Insurance & Costs

• All insurance accepted, including Medi-Cal

• No cost for services

Who We Help

At New Compass, we serve youth and transitional age youth, ages 13-25, along with their families, who are experiencing early signs of psychosis.

Currently, our services are available in Nevada County. We will expand services in the near future.

Services We Provide

• We offer education to the community, schools, providers, and family members on the early risk factors for psychosis.

• Our services include early identification and assessment of individuals at high risk, as well as the delivery of intensive treatment for those identified as high-risk.

What to Expect

At New Compass, our members can expect the following integrated supports.

Learn about Early Intervention

������Ƶ New Compass helps young people to address mental illness and psychosis in the early stages to reduce the impacts and gain the knowledge, life skills, and resources to move forward toward their goals and dreams.

Early intervention in mental illness can make a profound impact in a young person’s life. What are the signs to be aware of? And what can be done to help?

According to the , early warning signs of psychosis can include changes in academic performance, difficulty concentrating, feelings of suspiciousness or unease, a decline in personal hygiene, spending more time alone, or changes in emotional expression. Signs of a first episode of psychosis may also involve hearing, seeing, or believing things that others don’t, along with unusual thoughts or beliefs.

The is an evidence-based recovery approach designed for individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis. This model emphasizes collaboration between the client, their family, and a multidisciplinary care team that includes clinicians, psychiatrists, case managers, and peers. The goal is to provide comprehensive support and address mental health needs early, before they escalate. The CSC model has proven to be highly effective in improving outcomes and prognosis.

Kenny

Kenny, 19-year-old who was referred to the TEIR program (which is the program that New Compass is modeled after) at age 17 due to concerns about his ability to graduate high school. At the time, Kenny was struggling with failing grades, receiving mostly Ds and Fs, and lacked parental support—his father was absent, and his mother was inconsistently involved in his life. Growing up, he experienced significant trauma and abuse.​

In his junior year, Kenny began experiencing paranoia, believing that his classmates were staring at and talking about him. This, coupled with his challenging home life, placed him at significant risk academically and emotionally.​

Upon entering the TEIR program, Kenny received comprehensive support from an early intervention team. A nurse helped him understand and manage his medications. A clinician worked with Kenny to process his thoughts, emotions, and experiences, while a specialty case manager helped him build social skills, practice coping strategies, improve time management, and connect with a tutor. The case manager also assisted Kenny in effectively communicating with his teachers and peers.​

After just a year and a half in the program, Kenny’s grades dramatically improved to all As. He was also supported in applying to colleges, and in the summer of 2023, Kenny graduated from high school. He was accepted into the political science program, marking a significant turnaround in his academic and personal life.

Anna

Anna, 23 year-old, self-referred to TEIR (which is the program that New Compass is modeled after) after attending a presentation at the local community college. At the time, Anna was living with her uncle, who was controlling and abusive. She struggled with uncontrollable racing thoughts, constant preoccupation with death, and an inability to sleep due to recurring visions and images of her late mother, who had passed away when Anna was a child.​

With intensive support from our team, Anna worked with prescriber to find the right medications for her , which helped her sleep through the night. A clinician worked closely with her to develop coping and symptom management skills, improve her ability to socialize appropriately, rebuild her trust in others, and enhance her self-esteem. Additionally, her case manager assisted Anna with her education goals, taught her how to create a resume, and prepared her for job interviews.​

After two years in the program, Anna found the courage to secure a job and move out of her uncle's home. She is now working full-time, has entered a healthy, nurturing relationship, and is engaged. Anna is also expecting her first child, marking a positive and transformative shift in her life.

New Compass

The New Compass team is being supported by the staff of ������Ƶ Early Intervention & Recovery (TEIR).

Partnership with CalMHSA

������Ƶ is partnering with the to provide vital services as part of their early psychosis program. CalMHSA, a joint powers authority formed by counties across the state, focuses on collaborative projects to improve behavioral healthcare. This early psychosis program targets rural and underserved counties, expanding access to care for Medi-Cal recipients. Supported by the Early Psychosis Intervention Plus (EPI Plus) Grant, ������Ƶ has been contracted to deliver these services through FY24-25, serving Nevada and Mono Counties.

Partnership with UC Davis

As the research leader and expert in Early Psychosis Intervention and evidence-based fidelity models, the will support ������Ƶ by providing specialized training, expert guidance, and evaluation of program outcomes. UC Davis’s role is critical in ensuring that ������Ƶ delivers high-quality, effective services throughout the project.

������Ƶ’s Recovery Model: RCCS

������Ƶ was founded on the belief that rehabilitation and recovery from serious mental illness are possible. We have consolidated our learning and experience into the Recovery-Centered Clinical System (RCCS), a richly personal, holistic, and comprehensive approach to recovery.

News at ������Ƶ