Community Foundation of Collier County Distributes $50,000 in Grants to Six Agencies Providing Healthcare and Mental Health Services in Collier County

Naples, FL (PRWEB) May 10, 2014

Community Foundation of Collier County President/CEO, Eileen Connolly-Keesler, has announced that $50,000 has been distributed to six agencies providing healthcare and mental health services to children and adults in Collier County.

“These grants fuel some of the programs that meet a variety of local healthcare challenges in our region. We track the vital signs and we know how pressing the needs are for Collier County children and adults who require emergency and ongoing healthcare and mental health support,” explains Connolly-Keesler.

This year, the Foundation received funding requests in the amount of $290,000 from 22 nonprofits serving the healthcare and mental health sector in Collier County. The Foundation’s Healthcare Grant Committee, made up of five volunteers, reviewed each grant proposal and, based on strict criteria, provided recommendations to the Foundation’s Board for the investment of funds in capacity building grants and program grants to the following agencies.

Alzheimer’s Association – FL Gulf Coast Chapter - $10,000: to expand Caregiver Connection services designed to address the emotional, physical and medical support needs not only of people living with Alzheimer's disease or other memory-related disorders, but also the needs of their caregivers.

Healthcare Network of SW Florida Foundation - $5,000: to help children in need of therapeutic services acquire those services despite their families’ inability to pay, lack of transportation or difficulties in navigating the system. These families lack discretionary monies (typically $50-$500) for items that need to be addressed within hours of a child’s treatment - transportation, non-therapeutic medications, rental assistance, and in-take costs at the David Lawrence Center. The grant gives Healthcare Network psychologists immediate access to bridge funds until other funding such as Healthy Kids/ Medicaid/ Private Insurance can be established.

Healthy Start Coalition of SWFL - $6,000: to fund delivery of an evidence-based curriculum, proven to reduce repeat teen births and sexually-transmitted diseases, to a teen father group in Golden Gate High School. The curriculum focuses on preventing unintended pregnancies and STDs by promoting healthy behavior choices through responsible decision making.

Jewish Family and Community Services of SWFL - $13,000: to fund a series of mental health support groups for pre-teens and teens in public and private schools in Collier County as well as agencies such as Boys and Girls Club of Collier County and Grace Place. Designed to provide prevention services to this age group, group activities will be led by a licensed clinical social worker working with a second-year MSW intern from the FGCU Division of Social Work.

Shelter for Abused Women and Children - $10,000: to support the Medical Responder program in collaboration with Physicians Regional Hospital and Naples Community Hospital. On-call Shelter Advocates will respond to emergency room calls within sixty minutes and be available 24/7 to provide victims of domestic violence with safety planning, support and counseling and also to increase the knowledge of medical professionals on site about issues surrounding domestic violence.

The Able Trust - $6,000: to fund Youth Leadership Forum, an annual four-day leadership training program for 30 Collier County disabled youth - ages 14-22 - who attend Naples High School, Gulf Coast High School and Golden Gate High School. The forum brings people with disabilities to serve as speakers, mentors and volunteers who, as peers, can help other disabled youth gain the confidence to pursue meaningful education, employment, and societal opportunities.

About the Community Foundation of Collier County

The Community Foundation of Collier County is a tax-exempt, public charitable organization established in 1985 with a $300,000 endowment. Today, the Community Foundation oversees more than 500 funds, collaborates with over 500 local nonprofits, manages nearly $75 million in assets and has distributed $70 million in grants. For more information about the Community Foundation of Collier County call (239) 649-5000 or visit http://www.cfcollier.org.

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