San Diego Foundation awards $2.1 M to expand mental health services and workforce

San Diego Foundation headquarters against a dusk sky File photo courtesy of the foundation San Diego Foundation has awarded million in grants to local nonprofits to expand access to mental and behavioral wellness care for children youth and families across the region Mental vitality issues are the top reason youth are hospitalized in California explained Mark Stuart SDF president CEO We re supporting local organizations working directly with young people to ensure they get the help they need when they need it In addition to increasing access to care the funding aims to address the region s growing shortage of mental medical professionals San Diego County is expected to need additional behavioral robustness workers by according to the San Diego Workforce Partnership Of the total funds more than million will go toward direct services Another will aid workforce rise through internships and stipends for students and trainees entering the mental wellness field Selected Grantees Include Alliant Educational Foundation Services for families and stipends for doctoral students Casa de Amparo Services for foster youth Home Start Inc Assistance for underserved families Interfaith Public Services Programs for homeless youth and intern stipends Mending Matters School-based mental wellbeing and internship endorsement North County LGBTQ Reservoir Center Help for LGBTQ youth and intern stipends San Diego Youth Services Programs for vulnerable youth and workforce advance Palomar Family Counseling Services Family counseling and patronage for licensed trainees Full list available upon request or at SDFoundation org Since SDF has invested million in early childhood and family mental robustness initiatives through grants This funding is supported by the Guy Clum Early Childhood Fund and the Blasker-Rose-Miah Endowment Fund Coastal Area Foundation also provided aligned patronage this year This work is part of SDF s Fifty Forward campaign launched to mark the foundation s th anniversary The goal grant million to local nonprofits and raise billion to strengthen the future of the region To date the campaign has granted million To learn more or get involved visit SDFoundation org