Children's Behavioral Health Grants

We fund programs that elevate the mental well-being of youth and children (age birth to 26 years) in Lancaster County, Pa. We’re interested in improving access to behavioral healthcare for youth and children, and supporting targeted workforce development for providers in Lancaster County.

Current and Past Grantees

Touchstone Foundation grants tackle the supply and demand crisis in mental healthcare for youth and children by supporting local programs to meet our Two Big Goals:

Building the talent pipeline in behavioral healthcare for youth and children in Lancaster County
Improving access to mental well-being for youth and children in Lancaster County

We encourage applicants to replicate existing models that have been successful, and to work collaboratively with others to improve mental health services for youth and children ages birth through 25.

Applications Closed

Before getting started, we recommend downloading and reviewing our application guide.

2022 Grantees

Bench Mark Program - Spring 2022

“Open Gym”

Mentoring program emphasizes physical fitness programming, career development, and academic coaching.

Horizons at Lancaster Country Day School - Spring 2022

“School Counselor”

Teaching staff would be better supported with school counselor lead training before start of school.
Increased lessons in social and emotional learning during a period where our families have gone through stress, uncertainty, and loss.
A process for monitoring the emotional needs of our students with a goal of ensuring students are ready to learn.

The YWCA Lancaster - Spring 2022

“Sexual Assault Counseling Center”

As the Rape Crisis Center for the county, they provide primary prevention education programs to the community. Healthy Relationship Project (HRP) is a researched-based, trauma-informed, and age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention curriculum created by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont. There are 3 distinct programs for students in preschool-grade 2, grades 3-6, and grades 7-8.

Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Lancaster County - Spring 2022

“Play and Learns”

A program to serve families with children birth to five years of age in communities in Lancaster County that have limited availability of high-quality early learning opportunities. The criteria for Play and Learns include being connected with the school district; scheduling dates for each session in a series ahead of time with at least five 60-minute sessions. Each session is comprised of child-directed play, caregiver learning, a coordinated group activity, and intentional space for caregivers to build social capital, as well as time for caregivers to explore resources with a focus on family well-being.

Samaritan Counseling Center - Spring 2022

“TeenHope – Digital Screening”

TeenHope is a school-based program in Lancaster County schools screening students to identify those struggling with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. We currently partner with 16 area school systems.

2021 Grantees

Union Community Care - Fall 2021

“FLASH – Integrating Trauma-informed Care in Primary Care”

Program provided staff with training in the FLASH Technique, a new behavioral health intervention that can heal trauma in a brief, non-intrusive manner. The technique will be employed in the patient’s preferred language and can reduce disturbances of painful memories in as little as 15 minutes.

Parish Resource Center - Fall 2021

“One for One Advocacy Program”

Program offers comprehensive care for children, with an emphasis on mental and physical health. It matches one volunteer with one family or child for the duration of their participation in the Community Meal auxiliary services, partnering with Lancaster General Health Penn Medicine’s Healthy Beginnings and Union Community Care to meet emerging needs.

Horizons at Lancaster Country Day School - Spring 2021

“School Counselor”

Teaching staff would be better supported with school counselor lead training before start of school.
Increased lessons in social and emotional learning during a period where our families have gone through stress, uncertainty, and loss.
A process for monitoring the emotional needs of our students with a goal of ensuring students are ready to learn.

Mom's House of Lancaster - Spring 2021

“Positive Behavioral Intervention & Support Services”

Bench Mark Program - Spring 2021

“Open Gym”

Mentoring program emphasizes physical fitness programming, career development, and academic coaching.

Advoz - Spring 2021

“Diversifying Restorative Justice”

Program addresses harm, rather than blame, is the focus of restorative justice. Whether you’ve been harmed, or caused harm to another(s), restorative practices help to address that harm to the satisfaction of those impacted through facilitated dialogue.

Patients R Waiting - Spring 2021

“Diversifying Doulas Initiative (DDI)”

Program addresses the maternal mortality crisis by providing Lancaster Black and Latinx expectant moms with doula support.

2020 Grantees

ECHOS - Fall 2020

“ECHOS Youth Crisis Response Counseling”

This program provides competency in addressing high acuity levels in students, as well as, providing support for their family members. During the school year, the counselor addresses safety concerns of the students, assists with access to community mental health services, and promotes hope and wellness.

Patients R Waiting - Fall 2021

“Mental Health Access and Diversifying Doulas Initiative”

MHA – Program will help cover the entire cost of at least 3 sessions with an accredited mental health professional.

DDI – Program addresses the maternal mortality crisis by providing Lancaster Black and Latinx expectant moms with doula support.

Samaritan Counseling Center - Fall 2020

“TeenHope – Digital Screening”

COBYS - Fall 2020

“Telehealth Training for Lancaster County Mental Health Therapists”

Program focused on telehealth basic/skill building training and EMDR telehealth training for Lancaster County Behavioral Health Therapists.

Compass Mark - Spring 2020

“Family Services Advocate: Supporting Children with a Parent in Prison”

The Family Services Advocate program identifies, supports, and advocates for the unique needs and rights of children with an incarcerated parent at Lancaster County Prison. Each child receives a needs assessment, case management, relationship support, and pre/post evaluation.

Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 - Spring 2020

“Envision U Symposium”

3-session Envision U Symposium in 2020-21, welcoming students with mental health needs, interest in mental health careers, or disabilities, to attend:

The Mindful U: mindfulness and healthy habits
The Resourceful U: mental health resources and overcoming barriers
The Best U: self-awareness, -advocacy, and -regulation

Bethany Christian Services - Spring 2020

“Safe Families for Children™ (SFFC)”

Safe Families for Children™ (SFFC) supports at-risk families in crisis and reduces child abuse/neglect through a network of volunteers motivated by compassion to keep children safe and families intact.

Safe Communities - Spring 2020

“Safe Places Prevention + Education”

Program educates young children with three workshops with prevention basics: ‘Basic Body Safety’, ‘It’s Ok to Tell’, and ‘What Would You Do If…?’. Our program educates pre-teens with three workshops with relevant prevention information: ‘Internet + Social Media Safety’, ‘Healthy Relationships + Respect’, and ‘Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.’

2019 Grantees

MHA Lancaster - Fall 2019

“9th and 10th Grade Mental Health Education”

Milagro House - Fall 2019

“Streamlining Behavioral Health Access: Supporting Woman & Children Effected by Trauma and Poverty”

Bethany Christian Services - Fall 2019

“Together Facing the Challenge (TFTC): An Evidence-Based Model for Therapeutic Foster Care”

Smaritan Counseling Center - Fall 2019

“TeenHope NavWell Implementation”

COBYS - Fall 2019

“Increasing Child Behavioral Health Services through Supervision of Unlicensed Therapists”

CASA of Lancaster County - Spring 2019

“Comprehensive Advocacy for Older Youth”

Advoz - Spring 2019

“Stand in Justice: Surrogate Victim-Offender Dialogue for Youth”

CHI St. Joseph Children's Health - Spring 2019

“Take Your Time: A Universal Mindful Education Series for Elementary Students, Teachers & Families”

IU13 - Spring 2019

“Envision U Symposium”

2018 Grantees

Lancaster Public Library - Fall 2018

“Play, Learn, and Grow Series”

Compass Mark - Fall 2018

“Family Services Advocate – Supporting the Unique Needs of Children with Incarcerated Parents”

Union Community Care - Fall 2018

“Striving to make Lancaster County Reach Out and Read an integral part of regular pediatric visits”

Community Action Partnership Lancaster - Fall 2018

“Ensuring the Wellbeing of Children Fleeing Domestic Violence through Evidence Based Interventions”

Wellspan Philhaven - Spring 2018

“Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) Training”

Bethany Christian Services - Spring 2018

“Safe Families for Children™ (SFFC)”

YMCA of the Roses, Lancaster County - Spring 2018

“Pre-K and Power Scholars Parent/Family Education Initiative”

2017 Grantees

CHI St. Joseph Children's Health - Fall 2017

“Take Your Time: A Universal Mindful Education Series for Elementary Students, Teachers & Families”

Compass Mark - Fall 2017

“Family Services Advocate – Supporting the Unique Needs of Children with Incarcerated Parents”

Samaritan Counseling Center - Fall 2017

“Teen Hope”

Community Action Partnership Lancaster - Fall 2017

“Linking Positive and Proactive Social/Emotional Wellbeing Strategies from School to Home”

AND

“Minimizing Trauma for Children of Justice-Involved Parents through a Trauma-Informed Justice System”

Lancaster Public Library - Spring 2017

“Family Place’s Parent/Child Workshops – Fall Session”

Union Community Care - Spring 2017

“Striving to make Lancaster Reach Out and Read an integral part of regular pediatric check-ups”

Samaritan Counseling Center - Spring 2017

“Teen Hope Research & Program Development”

2016 Grantees

Family First Health - Fall 2016

“Integrated Behavioral Health using Collaborative Care”

Wellspan Philhaven - Fall 2016

“Behavioral Healthcare Training for Primary Care Providers and Pediatricians”

United Way of Lancaster- Fall 2016

“2-1-1 Resource Collection and Maintenance for NavWell”

Samaritan Counseling Center - Spring 2016