News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Sarah Henderson
Director, Marketing and Communications
United Way of Northeast Florida
904-300-8366
sarahh@uwnefl.org
 
Full Service Schools awards $5.5 million
in mental health services grants
Administered by United Way, the initiative provides free mental health care
to all Duval County public school students
 
Jacksonville, Fla. (May 27, 2022) – United Way of Northeast Florida, in partnership with the Kids Hope Alliance and Duval County Public Schools, announced today the recipients of $5.5 million in grants to provide mental health care access for all public school students in Duval County through the Full Service Schools initiative.
These Full Service Schools grantees will deliver mental health counseling and other support services to students and their families in elementary, middle and high schools in Duval County Public Schools for the 2022-2023 academic year. Recent events highlight this critical need for our community, students and their families.
“Mental health care is critical to addressing non-academic barriers to success, and thousands of students and families need help accessing this important resource,” said Keto Porter, director of Full Service Schools, which is administered by United Way. “We are thrilled with the selected providers, who we know will provide the right expertise and dedication to ensure this vital service continues to be delivered at the highest quality.”
The grantees provide free mental health services to Duval County Public Schools students and their families through eight Full Service Schools sites or an alternate location in the community determined by the counselor and family.
The following organizations are recipients of the grants for the upcoming academic year, with the Full Service Schools resource center(s) where they will operate listed in parentheses.

• Jewish Family & Community Services (Arlington Family Resource Center)
• Child Guidance Center (Beaches Family Resource Center and Sandalwood Family Resource Center)
• Children's Home Society (Englewood Family Resource Center and Ribault Family Resource Center)
• Daniel (Greater Springfield Family Resource Center and Historic James Weldon Johnson Family Resource Center)
• Family Foundations of Northeast Florida (Westside Family Resource Center)

The selected providers were identified using a request for proposal (RFP) process, which was open to any governmental entities, for-profit and nonprofit organizations who could provide mental-health services for at least one full school year. Proposals were accepted March 7 to March 31, followed by a review period, which ended in April.
“The Kids Hope Alliance has been a longstanding funding partner of the Full Service Schools initiative,” said Kids Hope Alliance CEO Mike Weinstein. “This past year, KHA contracted with United Way to serve as the managing entity of its school-based behavioral and mental health counseling funds. We are incredibly proud of the work done by United Way to identify those agencies that will ensure students and families have access to quality mental health counseling. Our significant investment in mental health services will allow for stronger and safer communities.”  
In addition to KHA, funding for Full Service Schools is provided by Duval County Public Schools, the Lucy Gooding Charitable Foundation Trust and United Way.
“Access to therapeutic services is critical to assisting Duval County Public Schools in addressing the holistic needs of our students,” said Katrina Taylor, director of school behavioral health at Duval County Public Schools. “We know students are more successful in the classroom when they are mentally and emotionally well. Through Full Service Schools, expert partner providers will be lending their support by strengthening our students and schools.”  
To access these mental health services, families are encouraged to call the United Way 211 information and referral hotline to find their nearest Full Service Schools site. Callers can dial 2-1-1 or 904-632-0600 on a cell phone or landline. Texting is also available by texting “Hello” to 211904. Additionally, students and parents can contact their school’s guidance office to learn more about the mental health services provided through Full Service Schools.
"The City of Jacksonville and The Kids Hope Alliance are proud to partner with Duval County Public Schools and United Way to provide comprehensive therapeutic, health and social services to vulnerable members of our community," said Mayor Lenny Curry. "This collaboration between public and nonprofit sectors has created a more efficient and effective tool to meet the needs of at-hope youth in our community."
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About Full Service Schools
Full Service Schools, administered by United Way of Northeast Florida, recognizes achievement is fostered in and out of the classroom. The initiative brings together community resources, neighbors and schools to promote the health and well-being of students, their families and neighborhood residents. Full Service Schools connects thousands of students and families to a critical range of therapeutic, health and social services and address non-academic barriers to success in school. Operating from eight neighborhood-based resource centers, Full Service Schools strives to meet the specific needs of the neighborhood. All Full Service Schools services are provided at no cost to students and their families. For more information, dial 2-1-1 or visit unitedwaynefl.org/full-service-schools.
 
About United Way of Northeast Florida
Founded in 1924, United Way of Northeast Florida has earned a reputation as a respected and efficient philanthropic organization. United Way envisions a community of opportunity where everyone has hope and can reach their full potential. Because change doesn’t happen alone, United Way’s mission is to solve Northeast Florida’s toughest challenges by connecting people, resources and ideas. The nonprofit organization’s long tradition of addressing the human-service needs in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and Northern St. Johns counties is made possible through the commitment of thousands of volunteers, donors and community partners. To learn more, visit unitedwaynefl.org, or follow @unitedwaynefl on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
About Kids Hope Alliance
With the vision that every child and youth will reach their academic, career, and civic potential, Kids Hope Alliance: The Jacksonville Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families (KHA), a fiscal agency of the City of Jacksonville, is responsible for overseeing the implementation and management of children and youth programs, services, and activities, accomplished through third-party service providers. Through these partnerships and local providers, KHA is a vehicle to improving the lives of children, youth, and families in Jacksonville. For more information, please visit www.kidshopealliance.org.
 
About Duval County Public Schools
Duval County Public Schools is the 20th largest school district in the nation, educating more than 128,000 students in over 190 schools. Its mission is to provide educational excellence for every school, in every classroom, for every student, every day. Visit www.duvalschools.org to learn more.