“It’s going to allow us to not ever have to say no to a student who wants counseling.” — Unity Seay, Fair Play R-II School District
Preparing for brighter tomorrows means supporting kids today, and a key need is greater access to mental health care in rural places. On March 18, $250,000 was distributed to 12 schools, school foundations and nonprofits across central and southern Missouri for this cause by the CFO, in partnership with the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation and Commerce Trust.
Efforts across the recipient organizations include peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs, salary support for a clinical child therapist, and general expansion of services. They all tie to the reality that these services are desperately needed but can be challenging to receive in rural areas and for families with limited resources.
For the Fair Play R-II School District, an $18,650 grant supports students' therapy co-pays and small group therapy sessions - and hopefully, reduce the stigma of receiving mental health care.
"It is okay- it's a strength - when you can get help for your mental health," said Unity Seay, counselor at Fair Play R-11. "We're just hoping that this will have a positive effect, not only on the students receiving services, but the community at large."
Find the full list of grant recipients online at cfozarks.org/coover25.
By Kaitlyn McConnell • This short feature is included in the spring 2025 edition of Passion & Purpose.
