Deadline: 15-Jul-21
The Caring For Colorado Foundation is seeking applications to support Youth Well-Being Grants Program to mental health services are essential to youth health and well-being.
The services and supports help to address acute concerns and build resilience for youth and staff experiencing disruption, isolation, disengagement, and other strains exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Focus Areas
Support is directed to youth-serving organizations in communities where youth have experienced, or are experiencing, high levels of disengagement and mental health challenges with a focus on:
- youth and families of color,
- youth and families with limited income,
- LGBTQ+ youth, and
- youth and families experiencing injustice
Strategies
Funding will support one, two, or all three of the following strategies:
- Increased social and emotional supports in schools and out-of-school time programs: Includes integration of new trainings, curriculums or tools; enhanced staffing to reduce ratios or create additional capacity; and/or other program supports to ensure high-quality and enriching connections and experiences.
- Support for staff well-being: Ensure youth-serving staff are supported during a time of heightened stress, amidst growing inequities facing youth, and in a challenging economy. Support might be used for additional compensation, paid time off, enhanced benefits and/or mental health or other services to support staff well-being.
- Facilitated access to mental health care: Support partnerships between youth-serving organizations and mental health providers; embedding mental health care within non- traditional settings; addressing transportation and language barriers; and/or covering the cost of care when coverage and/or other circumstances create obstacles.
Funding Information
- This funding opportunity will provide grants of $10,000 – $75,000 for increased social and emotional supports in schools and out-of-school time programs, support for staff well-being, and/or facilitated access to mental health services for school-aged youth, with an emphasis on youth in grades 6-12.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible entities include the following and must also meet the criteria outlined below:
- Nonprofit 501(c)3 community-based, youth serving organizations, schools, and mental health providers.
- Multi-agency, collaborative partnerships working across a community to support youth mental health and well-being.
- Organizations currently receiving or under consideration for funding from CFC are eligible to apply. Fiscally sponsored projects are allowed
Criteria
Organizations and schools must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Reaching populations of school-age youth with an emphasis on youth in grades 6-12.
- Serving youth who are living in families with low incomes (minimum of 50% FRL or another comparable metric); children and youth of color; LGBTQ+ youth; and youth who have experienced or are experiencing high levels of disengagement and mental health challenges.
- Following health and safety protocols in alignment with state and local guidance.
- Have licensure for services offered, if appropriate, or a policy related to child safety (must include background checks for staff/employees).
- Operating 10 hours or more per week on an ongoing basis and providing regularly scheduled, structured, and supervised activities.
- Offering services with no or low fees.
For more information, visit https://caringforcolorado.org/our-work/initiatives/youth-well-being/