Care Team
NVCF's innovative youth suicide prevention and response program employs Care Team coaches and clinicians who provide support to young people and families.
Care Team
The Care Team is a free youth suicide prevention and response program. Young people can reach out through text, phone or filling out the online referral and NVCF's trained Care Team.
Anyone who is concerned about a young person who is suicidal can call the Care Team for support.
Call or text
530-783-CARE (2273)
The Care Team responds in three types of situations:
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When a young person is experiencing suicidal thoughts
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Has made an attempt on their life
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Grieving the loss of someone who has died by suicide.
The Care Team line is not a crisis line. You will be contacted within 24-48 hours after leaving a message.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis please call 988.
What to expect when you contact Care Team?
1
Your call will go to an automated line where you will be asked to leave your name, contact information and the name of the individual you are calling for, even if it's yourself.
2
A Care Team member will contact you within 24-48 hours to guide you through the referral process.
3
The Care Team member will assess the individuals level of care needed and either partner them with a Care Team coach who will create an individualized care plan or resources and guidance will be provided if care beyond Care Team capacity is needed.
76%
of local high school youth know someone who is struggling
96%
of Care Team youth felt they had learned strategies to better cope with stress.
100%
of youth participants felt safe and trusted their Care Team coach
Care Team
NVCF Cares Clinician
Spotlight: Sara Watts
Sara Watts is an accomplished marriage and family therapist and program manager with over 20 years of experience leading behavioral health initiatives, developing clinical programs and providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals, couples and families. Known for her solution-focused and outside-the-box approach, Sara blends clinical precision with genuine warmth to help clients build resilience, deepen self-understanding and strengthen relationships.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
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Certified Nutritional Therapist Certified Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselor
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Crisis Intervention and Debrief Trainer
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Certified Diversity Trainer
Sara began her career as client services director at the Monterey County Crisis Center, where she led crisis intervention teams and developed countywide response protocols for trauma, sexual assault and domestic violence. She went on to manage complex behavioral health programs across California — including developing a transitional age youth program in San Diego County, redesigning Butte County's substance use disorder system of care, launching a medication-assisted treatment program and overseeing intensive outpatient services for youth and families.
As program manager for clinical and substance use disorder services at Butte County Behavioral Health, she spearheaded program development, quality assurance and interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple agencies.
Currently, as a private practice therapist, Sara provides trauma-informed, relationship-centered therapy for clients navigating transitions, mental health concerns and recovery. She integrates her background in crisis response, nutritional therapy and diversity training to address the mind–body connection and create sustainable pathways to healing.
In addition to her private practice, Sara serves as a contracted clinician for the NVCF Cares program. Sara provides case oversight to the Care Team and the Crew by ensuring high standards for care coordination, supporting coaches in safety assessments, resource navigation and transition planning. Through this work, Sara helps bridge immediate response efforts with long-term supports, ensuring families and youth receive seamless, trauma-informed interventions. Sara also leads NVCF’s free-of-cost caregiver support group via telehealth for parents of teens and children in Butte County.
Sara holds a master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Chapman University and a bachelor’s in sociology from San Francisco State University.When she’s not in session, Sara can often be found mentoring interns, training community responders or developing innovative family support tools that bridge clinical insight with practical, real-world application.
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Donate
Donations to this fund includes supporting the Care Team, our free innovative youth suicide prevention and response program that provides support to young people and families
Consent Form
We are excited to welcome you to the NVCF Cares community. Please review the information below and sign to give consent for your minor or yourself (if over the age of 18) as appropriate before participating.
