EXPANDING MENTAL HEALTH, STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS THROUGH GRANT

​​The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is expanding its services to young people and families affected by the COVID-19 crisis with a $50,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation.
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The Children’s Coalition will use the funds in support of three programs:
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• Mental Health: Increased suicide screenings and mental health access for junior high students in rural parishes through the SOS: Signs of Suicide prevention program, which includes education for caregivers and teachers about the signs of depression in young people and ways to seek help.
• Rural Technology Access: Providing computers for incoming college freshmen who serve as student ambassadors for the Union Parish Alliance for Community Transformation (U-ACT) program, which makes opportunities for young people to make positive choices that prevent and reduce substance abuse in Union Parish.
• Supporting Students and Families: As needs arise among student families, the Children’s Coalition has been providing support, from providing shelter and supplies such as diapers, wipes and cleaning supplies to helping families access the internet to continue remote learning for students.
  
  

Speaking about the Coalition’s mental health work funded by this grant, Executive Director Leann Bond said, “This crisis will affect families and children everywhere — whether it’s directly from COVID-19 exposure or the economic downturn. Young people are especially susceptible to the mental health impacts, because this is happening at a particularly vulnerable time in their lives when caregivers might see some warning signs as simply adolescent angst. These essential resources will help families learn the signs, make a plan, and access screenings. We have to pay attention now more than ever.”

Michael Tipton, president of the Blue Cross Foundation, added: “We are grateful for organizations like the Children’s Coalition who are working to support kids and families across the state during this crisis. Mental health is going to be a key factor in our resilience and recovery, and this kind of support is incredibly important to offer to those in need.”
Caregivers and families can find more information about the Children’s Coalition, including the SOS and U-ACT programs at www.childrenscoalition.org or by calling 318-323-8775.

About the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana
The Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 with the mission to create “communities where children and families thrive." The Coalition currently serves children and families in 14 parishes with services addressing the developmental, social, and emotional needs of children ages 0-18 through early care and education, health care, parenting education, and youth development.
 
About the Blue Cross Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation works each day to improve the health and lives of Louisianians by empowering everyday people to do extraordinary good. By building and funding coalitions of friends, families and neighbors, the Foundation hopes to build a healthier Louisiana, particularly for its children. The Foundation is funded solely by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, but is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. Together, Blue Cross and the Blue Cross Foundation invest $3.5 million each year into Louisiana’s communities and nonprofits.

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