The Pajaro Valley will take a closer look at youth mental health — and the future of local support for young people — at the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley’s 2026 Health Forum on Friday, Sept. 18.
This year’s forum, “Youth Mental Health in Pajaro Valley: Understanding Needs, Building Solutions,” will bring together health professionals, community leaders, youth advocates and young people for an afternoon focused on understanding local needs and building solutions.
The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. at Cabrillo College’s Multicultural Student Center in Aptos.
A major focus of the forum will be the introduction of allcove™ Watsonville, a new youth mental health center expected to open in 2027 at 112 East Beach St. in Watsonville.
allcove is part of a growing statewide network of integrated mental health centers designed for young people ages 12 to 25. Stanford University’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing developed the model to create welcoming spaces where young people can pause, connect with others and choose the support they need.
The Watsonville center will offer free services addressing the broad range of needs young people may face, including mental and physical health care, substance use support, peer and family support, and education and employment resources.
“At this year’s Health Forum, our community has a unique opportunity to learn about allcove Watsonville directly from the experts who brought this model forward — and most importantly, directly from young people themselves,” said DeAndre’ James, executive director of the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley.
“allcove gives us an opportunity to build something with youth, not simply for them. We invite the community to join the conversation and envision what is possible when we come together around youth mental health.”
Building allcove Watsonville with local youth
The Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley serves as the lead agency bringing allcove Watsonville to the Pajaro Valley. The organization is working with United Way of Santa Cruz County, Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance and Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County Inc. to develop the center.
Young people also have a direct role in shaping what the center will offer.
The allcove Watsonville Youth Advisory Group includes young people ages 16 to 25 who provide insight into the needs of their peers and help guide the center’s development. Their involvement reflects a central part of the allcove model: creating spaces with, by and for youth.
Forum attendees will hear directly from members of the Youth Advisory Group and learn how their perspectives are helping shape the future center.
What to expect at the Health Forum
The forum will examine youth mental health in the Pajaro Valley from several angles. Attendees will learn about current local data, demographics and available services, as well as the development of the allcove model and its expansion across California.
Speakers and participants will include Dr. Steven Adelsheim, allcove Founder and director of Stanford University’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing; Greg Young, allcove network director; Ana Lilia Soto, allcove youth development manager; Dr. Marni Sandoval, director of Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health; and Jasmine Nájera, LCSW, executive director of Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance.
The allcove Watsonville team, Youth Advisory Group, United Way of Santa Cruz County and Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County Inc. will also participate.
The forum offers an early look at the work underway to bring a new kind of youth mental health resource to Watsonville — and an opportunity for the broader community to help shape the conversation.
Want to be part of the conversation? Register for the 2026 Health Forum and learn more about the future of youth mental health in the Pajaro Valley.
2026 Health Forum: Youth Mental Health in Pajaro Valley: Understanding Needs, Building Solutions
When: Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, 3–6 p.m.
Where: Cabrillo College Multicultural Student Center, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos
The event is generously sponsored by Lookout Santa Cruz and West Coast Community Bank.
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