Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation Receives $230,000 Grant for Pediatric Mental Health Services
Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation has received a $230,000 grant from Simply Healthcare Foundation to expand its pediatric mental health and suicide prevention program.
The Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation has secured a $230,000 grant from the Simply Healthcare Foundation to expand its "New Solutions: A Pediatric Mental Health Treatment and Suicide Prevention Program." This initiative aims to improve access to mental health services for children and families outside of traditional hospital settings.
The three-year grant, which commenced on July 1, will support the New Solutions program in serving 267 individuals. It addresses a critical gap between emergency psychiatric treatment and less acute, coordinated community-based care.
Children and adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis who do not meet criteria for hospital admission or involuntary examination under Florida's Baker Act can now receive immediate support. Services can be provided in the home, at school, or in other community-based settings, with the goal of connecting families to care within 24 hours of assessment.
"This grant allows us to reach more children and families with the right level of care when they need it most," said Tim Curtin, Vice President of Community Services at Memorial Healthcare System. "By providing a direct connection to behavioral health services, we can help families navigate a difficult moment and begin building a path toward long-term well-being."
The New Solutions program is funded through philanthropic support and aims to remove barriers to care, increase treatment engagement, and reduce the need for involuntary holds. The funding will also be used to expand the program's capacity and raise awareness about available mental health resources for families.