The COVID-19 pandemic has put numerous barriers in front of northeast Kansas children and families who need mental health care. Family Service & Guidance Center can now help remove many of those hurdles, thanks to a generous two-year, $4.7 million grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Washington, D.C.
“Major funding opportunities like this don’t come along very often,” said Brenda Mills, FSGC Chief Executive Officer. “This is a tremendous boost for children and families who need our help as well as residents of Topeka and Shawnee County. We’re very excited to have been selected! ”
The goals of the grant are:
- To rebuild and strengthen infrastructure to provide additional telehealth capabilities
- To increase access to services for those in need
- To enhance the ability to provide trauma-focused practices and increase clinical and recovery services
- To help address the mental health needs of FSGC staff
“Funding will be utilized to enhance FSGC’s entire range of services,” said Colin Thomasset, FSGC Chief Operations Officer. “The grant award comes at a critical time when we know that the mental health needs of youth and families in our community are greater than ever. Ultimately, this is about serving our community to the best of our ability.”
Pat Riordan, FSGC Board Chair, said, “All of us who are so proudly affiliated with FSGC are eager to see the positive impact this grant award will have on the thousands of local children and families the organization serves.”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.