06 Oct KidsTLC Receives $179,699 Grant from the Health Forward Foundation

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.

Concern for the mental health and well-being of children continues to be an issue on the forefront nationally and locally in the Kansas City (KC) Metro area. Certain target populations in our community need access to quality specialized care. In addition, nonprofit agencies in the behavioral health field are constantly challenged to balance revenue streams, advocate for higher reimbursements from private insurance, and work “leaner” while stretching operating/program dollars to keep pace with best practices.  On a deeper level, societal pressures, social media, bullying, anxiety, navigating sexual orientation/gender identity, dealing with trauma, and increasing thoughts of self-harm continue to put a strain on a generation of vulnerable young people. For the under-served and under-insured, gaining access to specialized behavioral health services that target their specific needs can be daunting and private practice providers are expensive.

KidsTLC has been meeting the needs of children and families in Johnson County since 1972 through an array of human service safety net programs. The agency is known for its strong community values and philosophy of care, as well as its success with what are considered by other agencies as “difficult to treat” children. At the heart of KidsTLC’s core values is the drive and desire to constantly improve safety net programming for unserved/low income families, especially when a gap in services presents itself in our community. In line with the agency’s vision, this project will allow “children, youth and their families to live fulfilled and enriched lives.”