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 physical condition care for children youth and families across the region Mental robustness issues are the top reason youth are hospitalized in California declared 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 wellbeing professionals San Diego County is expected to need additional behavioral wellbeing workers by according to the San Diego Workforce Partnership Of the total funds more than million will go toward direct services Another will sponsorship workforce evolution through internships and stipends for students and trainees entering the mental fitness 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 Locality Services Programs for homeless youth and intern stipends Mending Matters School-based mental soundness and internship advocacy North County LGBTQ Reserve Center Help for LGBTQ youth and intern stipends San Diego Youth Services Programs for vulnerable youth and workforce expansion Palomar Family Counseling Services Family counseling and help for licensed trainees Full list available upon request or at SDFoundation org Since SDF has invested million in early childhood and family mental soundness initiatives through grants This funding is supported by the Guy Clum Early Childhood Fund and the Blasker-Rose-Miah Endowment Fund Coastal Public Foundation also provided aligned advocacy 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