Bridge Team
Washtenaw ISD Bridge Team
Our mission is to support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of K-12 students throughout our community.
Our vision is to empower students, families, and educators by expanding intervention strategies to increase mental well-being for academic success.
The Need
Statistics show that more Michigan children and adolescents are increasingly dealing with mental health issues and experiencing traumatic events.
The Impact
Mental health has an enormous impact on our students’ success in school. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions have been linked to lower grades and an increase in alarming dropout rates.
Why Schools?
Why are our schools uniquely suited to assist our students with their mental health concerns? With the large amount of time most youth spend attending school (and other school-based extracurricular activities), there is a greater chance for identifying a mental health concern and an opportunity to make appropriate referrals to treatment within the education milieu than in other settings. As places centered around learning, schools are also an ideal setting to deliver information about mental health and provide teaching about emotions, behavioral health, and mental health care. Schools create safe spaces for youth to engage with programs that teach personal resilience and help develop buffers.
How we can help
Clinical Services Support: Our Bridge Clinical Team may provide individual or group counseling to students, and provide liaison support, care coordination, and case management services with schools, families, community agencies, and other local partners. The Bridge Clinical Team supports the development of multi-tiered behavioral intervention strategies and encourages school comprehensive positive behavior support systems.
Crisis Mental Health Coordinators may assist with crisis transitions while utilizing evidence-based wraparound techniques to coordinate with family, school contact, and community providers. Crisis Metal Health Coordinators may assist with the process of students who may have to make transitions to and from inpatient/partial hospitalization stays, residential treatment, or juvenile justice programs.
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health Resource List
Need Help Now?
Call or Text 988 from any phone to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (link is external)
Text HOME to 741741 -- Crisis Text Line (link is external)
Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL) (link is external)
Emergency Services & Crisis Lines
Washtenaw County:
Community Mental Health Crisis Services (link is external)
U-M Psychiatric Emergency Services
Outside Washtenaw County:
Common Ground Crisis Line (link is external)
Local Crisis Lines (link is external)
MDHHS Community Mental Health Services (link is external)
National Organizations:
The Trevor Project (link is external): suicide prevention & crisis intervention for LGBTQ young people ages 13-24. Trevor Project Lifeline is staffed by trained volunteers, day and night, for online chat, or call (866) 488-7386
Non-Emergency Services
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator (link is external) - mental health problems and/or addiction
Washtenaw County:
Community Mental Health (link is external) - Provides an array of services for clients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. Entry point for Medicaid-eligible and uninsured for mental health, public health and or substance abuse information and services in Washtenaw County. Callers receive health information and/or referrals to community services.
Outside Washtenaw County:
MDHHS Community Mental Health Services (link is external)
Common Ground (link is external)
State of Michigan:
Michigan community mental health services programs directory (link is external)
Mental Health & Substance Use Resources
Mental Health:
Depression Center Toolkit (link is external)
Addiction:
Addiction Center Resource Guide
Suicide:
Family Crisis Plan - English, Spanish (link is external)
Make Your Home Suicide-Safer (link is external)
COVID-19 Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Toolkit:
Local resources:
S.O.S. Community Services
(734) 484-4300
Helps individuals and families in need to achieve economic, family and residential stability.
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
Provides an array of services for clients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. Entry point for Medicaid-eligible and uninsured for mental health, public health and or substance abuse information and services in Washtenaw County. Callers receive health information and/or referrals to community services.
National Alliance on Mental Illness - Washtenaw County
(734) 994-6611
Offers support (including support groups), education and advocacy for people with mental illness and their family members in Washtenaw County.
Women's Center of Southeast Michigan
(734) 973-6779
Email
Provides personal counseling, divorce education and support, job coaching and tax assistance. "We are committed to providing high-quality supportive services at affordable fees. Our staff and volunteers make our environment safe, encouraging and beautiful."
National resources:
National Crisis Text Line offers free 24/7 support at your fingertips. Text HOME to 741741 and "a live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment."
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
(240) 485-1001
Committed to improving the lives of the people who suffer from anxiety disorders through promotion of early diagnosis, treatment and cure.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
(800) 950-NAMI (6264)
Dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life of all whose lives are affected by these diseases.
National Mental Health Consumer's Self-Help Clearinghouse
(800) 553-4539 or (215) 751-1810
Helps connect individuals to self-help and advocacy resources, and offers expertise to self-help groups and other peer-run services for mental health consumers.
National Institute of Mental Health
(301) 443-4513 or (866) 615-6464 (toll-free)
Suicide prevention hotlines:
Half of Us (800) 273-8255
Jed Foundation works to reduce suicide among college students in the U.S and offers a toll-free National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-TALK.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is staffed by trained volunteers, day and night, for online chat, or call 1-800-273-TALK
Trevor Project Lifeline is staffed by trained volunteers, day and night, for online chat, or call (866) 488-7386
Trans Lifeline is staffed by trained transgender volunteers. Call (877) 565-8860
Or call 911
Meet our Team
DarNesha Green, LMSW, PMC, SSW
Darnesha is excited to serve the team as the Mental Health Clinical Supervisor. As a certified K-12 administrator, licensed clinical social worker, and certified school social worker, she has spent nearly two decades in the field of education and clinical practice. She has witnessed firsthand the profound impact that holistic support can have on students' lives. Her goal is simple: to ensure sustainable student wellness. By fostering strong partnerships between home, school, and community, she believes they can empower students to reach their full potential. Darnesha is here to support the Bridge Clinical team in implementing effective school-based clinical services for the local districts.
Stacey is a certified school social worker and endorsed Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist with a remarkable career dedicated to fostering mental well-being at its core. Devoted to community service, Stacey actively works towards dismantling mental health stigma and advocates passionately for social justice. In her pivotal position as an Inter-Agency Mental Health Coordinator, Stacey leverages her extensive experience in systems work to enhance mental health services, foster collaboration among diverse agencies, and establish a robust support network for those in need. Her tireless dedication underscores the transformative power of mental health support and advocacy in creating a more resilient and interconnected community.
Kara Williams is a licensed clinical social worker with experience working in crisis, drop-in, homeless/runaway youth shelter, and private practice settings. She obtained her MSW at the University of Michigan with a focus in supporting youth and families in 2018, then went back to school for her school social work certificate in 2023. Kara has an undergraduate degree and working background in theatre arts and continues to pursue the marriage of art and healing in her therapeutic work. It is her belief that in order to care for one’s mental health, care also has to be given to the community at large. In this position, Kara strives to bring compassion, safety, and both individual and collective empowerment into the spaces she supports.
Gina is a licensed master-level social worker with training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Wraparound Facilitation. Gina brings extensive experience to her work with youth who have survived complex trauma. She has also supported families affected by various challenges, including involvement with the juvenile justice system, child welfare system, addiction, grief, and loss. Having been on the receiving end of therapy since adolescence, Gina personally understands the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the profound journey of healing. Her aim is always to create a safe and therapeutic space for the youth and families she works with. Gina is committed to remaining aware of the inequalities faced by Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), womxn, queer/trans/non-binary individuals, and disabled persons. Her mission is to provide therapy with an integrative approach, considering the whole person, their strengths, emotional support, spirituality, and community resources to aid in reaching their treatment goals.
Jessica Fonville is a licensed clinical social worker with the Bridge Clinical Team at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. Jessica received her MSW degree from the University of Michigan School of Social Work, with a focus on childhood and adolescent development and community organizing. She has spent the last several years working with some of our community’s most vulnerable youth and families providing crisis intervention, case management, and wraparound service support in youth shelter, drop-in center, and educational settings. Jessica is passionate about positive youth development work and providing holistic and strengths-based support to help young people be successful in reaching their goals.
Kanika Spears is a fully certified licensed master social worker and certified school social worker. She received her MSW degree from Wayne State University's Advanced Standing Program with a focus in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). For nearly two decades, Kanika has supported the mental health and well-being of K-12 students in various school districts. She is passionate about designing data-driven curriculum for psycho-educational groups. Her dedication to integrating the arts into her clinical practice and her commitment to a holistic approach to serving students is distinct. Kanika is eager to continue to cultivate partnerships and collaborations with our local school districts and community through service, advocacy and empowerment.
Steven is a licensed clinical social worker with training and experience in Restorative Practices. He received his MSW from the University of Southern California with a focus on Adult Mental Health and Wellness and a focus on Veteran Populations. Since entering the field of social work nearly a decade ago he has experience working with homeless adults, adults and youth involved in the criminal justice system, and high school aged youth. He has worked as an Outreach Worker through the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, a Juvenile Probation Officer through the Trial Courts of Washtenaw County and as a Behavioral Intervention Specialist through Ypsilanti Community High School. He is excited to be part of the Bridge Team and has a passion for helping youth see past their circumstances to reach their full potential.
Al Correa, MSW Intern
Al Correa is an intern with the Bridge Clinical Team and Education Project. Al is currently working towards his MSW from the University of Michigan with a concentration in Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse. He will be graduating from the MSW program this upcoming May! Prior to this, he attended Central Michigan University with a focus on Sports Management. He also had the opportunity to obtain his graduate certificate from Pennsylvania State University. Professionally, Al has worked for the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan as a Check and Connect Mentor for the past five years. There, he does great work advocating for students and families in the community. His ‘Why’ is simple. He acknowledges that we only have a limited amount of time on this planet. Al wants to do his part in making a difference in society, but more specifically in his community. He aims to continue making a great impact on the lives of children and families through empowerment, advocacy, treatment, and education.
Adriana Gorham, MSW Intern
Adriana Gorham is currently working towards her MSW at The University of Michigan with a concentration in the welfare of children and families. She is set to graduate in August of this year and is currently interning at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. Adriana graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2023 with a bachelor’s in social work. Some of her past experience in this field includes interning with Making Youth Matter at Ypsilanti Middle School, and she currently works for an afterschool program at an elementary school. Adriana chose this field because she is passionate about working with children and families, helping to provide them with the support they need to succeed.
Leticia Horry, MSW Intern
Leticia Horry (She/Her/Hers) is a current MSW graduate intern with the Bridge Team and Education Project. Leticia has completed her undergraduate studies focused in Psychology, Sociology, and Leadership in Communication in Organizations (LCO) at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Leticia has continued her education at University of Michigan – Ann Arbor where she is currently a MSW candidate focused in the dual areas of Macro: Management and Leadership and Micro: Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse with dual endorsements in Clinical Practice and School-Based Endorsement. Leticia has experiences that span from the academic K-12 and higher educational environments to clinical teams within Michigan Medicine. Her focus is to provide solutions via evidence and strength-based frameworks to those who experience disparities that would benefit from diverse equitable support. Leticia’s personal mission is to, “always leave things better than I found them, people included,” by promoting healing and restoration of the whole person, system, and community by recognizing strengths and developing personal and systematic goals.
Next Steps
To learn more about the Bridge Team and offerings please contact:
DarNesha Green, Mental Health Clinical Supervisor at:
Email or call (734) 994-8100 ext. 1557
Supports
If you have a student in need of mental health support, but are not in immediate crisis please scan the QR code provided or complete a referral.
