16 Sep KidTLC Receives $2,500 Grant from the Flo Harris Foundation

KidTLC was recently awarded a $2,500 grant from the Flo Harris Foundation to support their Thriving Families Program (previously Street Outreach Services SOS program).

Bullying, depression, suicide, and unrealistic demands on children and families can lead to overwhelming levels of family distress. Inability to access appropriate services is one of the biggest barriers for families who are homeless, Spanish-speaking, or have mental health issues. Barriers can include limited knowledge of how/where to access services, cultural stigmas surrounding health issues, lack of knowledge about what services are available or how to pay for services, and transportation to services.

KidsTLC has been successful in expanding its Thriving Families program to reach children and families facing these daunting problems who cannot manage the journey alone. The program works with families of children receiving services in one of KidsTLC’s mental health programs, homeless families in the Shawnee Mission and Olathe school districts, and clients who come from outside referrals. Thriving Families exists to join families experiencing these difficulties with a health navigator who can connect them with KidsTLC’s mental health services as well as an array of other community services that can assist with other basic needs. We also provide education/support groups and health navigation designed for the unique needs of the growing Spanish-speaking community in Olathe and Johnson County.

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.”