Sept. 11, 2024
New program seeks to remove barriers to mental healthcare
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is accepting applications for the Coover Regional Youth Mental Health Grant Program. The CFO is administering this program on behalf of the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation, a private foundation managed by Commerce Trust Company.
With a total of $250,000 available, the program’s goal is to address the growing number of youth suffering from overwhelming stress and anxiety (a number that has increased 50% since 2011 for high school students) or another serious mental illness and narrow the service accessibility gap between rural communities and urban. According to National Education Association data serious mental illness, adolescent depression, psychological distress and suicide are more prevalent in rural areas than urban. Unfortunately, it is also more difficult for children and youth to access mental health care in rural communities because of limited services and public transportation.
Possible projects would increase accessibility to services for youth ages 0 to 21 by reducing or eliminating barriers to care (i.e., technology or transportation) or expand proven or existing services to help more young people and their families.
Eligible organizations outside of Springfield and Greene County, but within the CFO service area, are encouraged to apply. This includes rural Missouri south of the Missouri River and outside the metro areas of St. Louis and Kansas City.
Agencies can find more information and begin the application process at cfozarks.org/applyforgrants. Applications must be submitted by 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
Julia Dorothy Coover, a 30-year Commerce employee, founded the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation in 1992 to honor her husband’s memory. The Coover Charitable Foundation has awarded nearly $8.5 million in grants to benefit the Ozarks since its partnership with the CFO began in 2001.
