KidsTLC recently received a grant for $179,699 from the Health Forward Foundation, Mental Health to support the continued development and expansion of KidsTLC’s Lotus Clinic. This funding will help support the overall sustainability of the clinic and the vital services it provides to under-served and under-insured families. This funding will assist over 2,000 youth through over 10,500 encounters.  In addition to underwriting salaries and contract fees for critical positions, funds will be used to help our clinicians receive additional training in specific evidenced-based specialty areas, as well as increase the community’s awareness of the clinic’s services.

Catalyst Academy Charter School recently received a grant for $1,491,957 from the U.S. Department of Education Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)-Grants to Charter School Developers for the Opening of New Charter Schools Grant to open a K-8 charter school in East Liberty, beginning with kindergarten and first grade in the 2019-2020 school year. This charter school intends to serve primarily children from underserved, majority African-American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh’s East End. Catalyst Academy Charter School will utilize funding from the Charter School Program Developer Fund to create a world-class K-8 school that prepares all students effectively for college, career, and life. This holistic approach to our scholars’ development will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to be a catalyst for positive change for themselves, and in their families and communities. Specifically, Catalyst will focus on academic rigor, innovation and personalization, and holistic scholar development, through high expectations, strong relationships, and quality teaching.

KidsTLC was recently awarded a $4,500 grant from Royals Charities to support a portion of the costs to purchase and install two sensory walls. KidsTLC’s Autism Services program opened in 2013 on the second floor of KidsTLC’s Kelly Family Wellness Center. In late 2017, due to the high demand for services, the program expanded into the first floor of the building. Each floor needs to be equipped with a variety of sensory wall panels to accommodate the needs of our young clients. This project will be ongoing, as the sensory walls will be a permanent fixture. These therapeutic tools will allow youth who have issues with sensory processing to experience fine motor, tactile, and visual inputs and will promote self-reliance.

Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Inc. (CMHS) recently received a grant for $70,059 from the Health Forward Foundation to support hiring a Medication Assisted Treatment Coordinator.  This individual will enhance CMHS’s capacity to coordinate referrals and appointments, as well as engage in outreach and conduct group education.

KidsTLC recently received a grant for $11,150 from the Johnson County Young Matrons Foundation to support its Therapeutic Recreation and Development program which serves children in the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) and Sanctuary programs. KidsTLC’s PRTF program’s primary purpose is to treat the effects of complex trauma in children and youth ages 6-18.  Children served in this program are victims of intense traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, and/or family disruption and are diagnosed with one or more mental illnesses.  It has become a model for successful treatment state-wide to address the rising number of children struggling with mental health issues.  In addition to the PRTF program, in mid-2015 KidsTLC opened a new residential unit called the Phoenix Sanctuary to provide a more short-term residential option for children.  The program is a 15-bed unit providing short-term, residential crisis stabilization and respite for children and adolescents ages 6–17 who are in crisis. These children are experiencing moderate social, emotional, family, or placement problems.  The services within the Sanctuary are aimed at preventing youth from entering state custody and higher levels of mental health care.  The Phoenix Sanctuary has 24-hour client care, intake support, and psychiatric consultation as needed. The program utilizes the same philosophy of care as for children in long-term care in the PRTF.