How can you get the Youth Connect Mobile App?

You download it here, at Stars Youth. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play. Search for Capital Star Youth Connect App.

What is the Youth Connect App all about?

Capital Star’s App provides free resources for youth and young adults residing in Sacramento County. The App provides access to local help, hotlines, coping tools, and resources, and it features live chat for immediate help.

Who was the App created for?

It is designed for Sacramento teens and young adults up to age 25, but Capital Star also works with victims of child trafficking and unfortunately, they are sometimes very young and aren’t even teenagers yet. Oftentimes those who need help are children and adolescents who are struggling with their mental health or in need of housing amidst a scary world or those who just need someone to talk to in a safe, judgment-free space.

What type of information is on the app?

The app includes information on finding housing, physical health, dealing with conflicts at school, misunderstandings with parents, addiction support, suicide hotlines, relationship issues, and basically everything an adolescent or young adult would be dealing with. Also, there are resources for those “in the life” who might be victims of sex trafficking or vulnerable to being exploited. The live chat lets them talk about anything on their mind and to get immediate help. There is also a map with directions to nearby resource locations.

What is the advantage of using the app vs. talking to a counselor in person?

Youth with mental health challenges often face symptoms of anxiety and depression which make it difficult for them to feel motivated to leave their residence to seek support. Or they might feel uncomfortable interacting with professionals in person. The mobile app allows them to seek support from a counselor in an anonymous way. Specifically, for the CSET program related to trafficking, the mobile app allows individuals to access resources and support that is less apparent to their exploiter. Also, the mobile app gives youth a way to stay connected with the safe staff of our CSET program.

Does someone have to give their name or personal information to use the App?

Youth or their families don’t need to provide their name nor personal information, and they can stay anonymous. The mobile app can be particularly helpful to vulnerable and marginalized groups of people such as undocumented immigrants. The mobile app provides a way for people to connect with live and ongoing support for themselves or their children without having to travel to the office or otherwise leave the home and risk facing ICE actions in the community. They can safely live chat from home, and many of our counselors are bilingual.

Why did you develop the App?

Young people today often don’t know where to turn for support – whether it’s mental health issues, housing, relationship issues, or other help. Capital Star has operated two programs in Sacramento for years — Youth Help Network and another program for sexually trafficked youth. We have always wanted to be where youth are located, and we know that more and more, they are spending their time seeking support through online spaces — primarily through mobile apps on their phones. So when our team approached Sacramento County’s Department of Health Services about the idea for an app, they approved and funded it through the existing funds we receive for the programs we operate for them.

How does the live chat work?

They can have direct live communication through text, and they will immediately get help and support from us. Live chat is Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

How does this app support unhoused Sacramento youth?

The two most common presenting needs we see at our Youth Help Network program are for linkage to housing and linkage to mental health services. Unhoused youth often have difficulty reaching out to our program during business hours, because they often need to sleep during those hours for safety reasons. Furthermore, youth are often located at remote sites with inconsistent phone connections. A mobile app allows unhoused youth to access support at their pace and limits the barriers around transportation and availability.

Who developed the app?

Capital Star Community Services developed the app with input from Sacramento youth who suggested resources to include, provided ideas for the app name, and took part in the beta testing process. Capital Star provides mental health services in Sacramento County and specializes in programs for youth and young adults. Our Youth Help Network program and the program for CSEC (Commercially Sexually Exploited Children) are two of our programs where youth are benefiting from the new App.