SpringBridge
CAARE Enrichment Program
SpringBridge’s CAARE (Career Access, Advocacy, Resources, and Education) Enrichment Program builds a clear, supported pathway into mental health careers for system-impacted youth and young adults. The program recruits and supports the next generation of mental health professionals by expanding access to education, mentorship, and career development for individuals historically excluded from professional pipelines.
SpringBridge does not operate as a single age-based program. Participants enter at the phase that best matches their educational stage and readiness.
Participants engage in cohort-based learning over several months, combining education, practice, and skill development grounded in evidence-based mental health theories. The program integrates interactive instruction, observation, and hands-on application to prepare participants for real-world clinical environments. Through this process, students develop the ability to assess needs, apply appropriate interventions, and navigate complex family and community systems.
CAARE participants are supported by experienced mental health professionals who provide guidance, modeling, and practical insight throughout the learning process. This structure ensures participants gain both theoretical knowledge and applied skills, while remaining connected to a stable support system as they progress toward college, graduate education, and licensure.
Graduates of the CAARE Program enter the workforce with a strong understanding of the communities they come from, alongside the training needed to work effectively across diverse populations. This combination of lived experience, education, and clinical preparation distinguishes SpringBridge participants within the mental health field.
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Benefits of Joining the CAARE Enrichment Program
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Enrichment education providing in-depth exposure to mental health practice and career pathways
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Increased readiness and competitiveness for college admission and career placement
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Computers, internet access, and educational supplies for participants
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Guidance and mentorship from licensed mental health professionals
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Opportunities to train alongside experienced clinicians
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Cohort-based support that remains consistent throughout the educational journey
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Alumni engagement and continued professional connection
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Access to scholarships and financial guidance
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Cost-of-living support for college-level participants
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Degree pathways aligned with job placement and licensure
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Opportunities for program graduates to operate or partner in a SpringBridge Community Center
The CAARE Enrichment Program focuses on contemporary approaches to mental health assessment, treatment, and care delivery. Designed by practicing mental health professionals, the program addresses gaps between classroom learning and real-world clinical practice, providing a practical understanding of psychology as it functions within today’s systems and communities. Each topic is intentionally developed to build applied knowledge and integrates lived experience and community context to ensure relevance across a wide range of clinical settings.
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