Celebrating Five Years of SolanoConnex
Transforming Mental Health Access in Solano County
Milestones are often measured in years, but for SolanoConnex, the true measure of success is found in the thousands of connections made between people in need and the care they deserve.
As SolanoConnex celebrates its five-year anniversary, the initiative led by Touro University California (TUC) reflects half a decade of breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, and building a more resilient Solano County. While the recent anniversary event offered a moment to celebrate, the focus remains on the program's evolving mission: ensuring no one has to navigate the mental health system alone.
A Multi-Component Ecosystem
Launched in late 2021 with pivotal funding from the Solano County Board of Supervisors (Mental Health Access Grant, 2020–2027), SolanoConnex was never intended to be just a digital directory. Instead, it was engineered as a comprehensive support system.
The program’s strengths come from its multi-pronged approach. This combines a mobile-optimized hub database of mental health resources, trained mental health navigators, evidence-based community education, and grassroots outreach efforts to meet residents where they are.
Impact by the Numbers
In just five years, SolanoConnex has moved from a visionary concept to a high-traffic pillar of the community. The data reflects a deep-seated need for accessible, culturally appropriate mental health support. Since 2021, the program has:
- Reached more than 8,500 community members through outreach and programming
- Logged over 44,000 visits to its mental health resource website
- Delivered 150+ trainings to more than 1,500 community members
- Released over 80 podcast episodes featuring local mental health providers and community leaders
- Trained more than 100 community members in Mental Health First Aid
- Graduated over 125 participants from the SolanoConnex Community Fellowship, each developing action plans to reduce mental health stigma
- Trained over 30 mental health navigators to support community members in accessing care
Community-Led Change
The secret sauce of SolanoConnex is a combination of technology and people. By empowering everyday citizens to become mental health advocates, the program has created a safety net that extends into every corner of the county.
“The aspect of the project that has been most fulfilling is the incredible response from the community,” said Dr. Carinne Brody, Associate Program Director, Public Health, Director of Research, Touro University California, and SolanoConnex Project Leader.
“We have trained so many community members in Mental Health First Aid and welcomed individuals from every corner of Solano County into our Fellowship program,” Dr. Brody continues. “From youth sports coaches and librarians to transit workers, veterans, new mothers’ groups, childcare staff, homeless shelter employees, food bank volunteers, and school personnel, our fellows are creating meaningful action plans to support mental health within their own communities. Seeing this level of engagement and commitment has been truly inspiring.”
Alumni in Action
For Master of Public Health alumni like Alaina Star, Program Manager, and Valentina Kelly, Program Coordinator, the five-year milestone is a testament to the two-way leaning ecosystem that TUC has built. Both now find themselves working alongside current students, a dynamic they describe as a rewarding exchange of seasoned experience and fresh, innovative ideas.
Alaina’s journey to community-based mental health similarly took root during her time in the MPH program, though her path began with a different lens. Originally focused on TUC’s Global Health concentration that gives students the opportunity to learn about global health issues and emerging health threats, her perspective shifted during a course on the impact of local health workers.
“It started expanding how I thought about public health - seeing how powerful it can be to have trusted individuals within communities helping connect people to resources and support,” explained Star.
Star continued, “Being part of a program that helps reduce barriers and connect community members to resources has been something I feel very honored to be part of.”
For Valentina Kelly, the spark for community-based work also traces back to her time in the MPH program, specifically a course in community public health. Volunteering at a high school in Vallejo and engaging with students about public health proved to be a defining moment, inspiring her to focus on expanding access for communities that have historically faced barriers to care.
Now, as she observes the landscape of Solano County, Kelly sees a tangible shift in how mental health is addressed. She notes that the stigma is beginning to break down as community members have more open conversations and utilize resources like SolanoConnex to find accessible support. This sense of progress is mirrored in her daily interactions with current TUC students.
“It’s been a really positive experience working with current students! It feels like such a privilege to have the opportunity to continue learning through our current students and to be part of their learning experience as well,” said Kelly.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
Five years in and SolanoConnex is just getting started. As the program enters its next phase, the focus is shifting toward expansion and sophistication. Future initiatives include deepening the provider network and improving partnerships with these care teams, more advanced community mental health training, and continued innovation of the digital platform.
Through a blend of academic leadership and community passion, SolanoConnex continues to prove that while the mental health system can be complex, finding help and resources shouldn’t be.
For more information about SolanoConnex or to access mental health resources, visit solanoconnex.org.