Program Spotlight: Grants

Youth and children are experiencing anxiety, depression and other mental health problems in record numbers, even more so since the pandemic. Many of them have also experienced trauma that has contributed to their struggles. The need for effective treatment is urgent and overwhelming.

A $25,000 LOHF Children’s Behavioral Health grant will help Union Community Care address this need by providing 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.

LOHF has also issued a $25,000 grant to Parish Resource Center’s One for One Advocacy program. The One for One 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 Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Healthy Beginnings program and Union Community Care to meet emerging needs. Staff will serve as a resource and support hub, training volunteers, managing connections with partner organizations and hiring specialized contractors.

“Lancaster has many qualified, dedicated service providers working for children’s behavioral health. We don’t see a gap in local expertise, but a gap between some children and accessing the help that is available in the county,” said Kate Good, executive director of Parish Resource Center. “Partnering with Union Community Care and LGH’s Nurse Family Partnership, our program will allow this vulnerable population easier access to healthcare professionals and social workers, mediated by advocates who have the time and resources to offer personalized help. We believe that consistent support will give children a better chance at receiving consistent care.”

LOHF Executive Director Anna Kennedy said, “These grants are just one part of our overall strategy to address the supply and demand crisis in children’s mental healthcare. Our approach is to support programs increasing access to services, while also developing the behavioral healthcare workforce to meet demand.”

Additional funds will be available in Spring 2022. Applications will open in early December. To learn more about our grants and other programs, please visit www.lohf.org.