DLC Gets $250,000 Grant to Expand Mental Health Access

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider serving children, adults and families, received a $250,000 social and human services grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation (RMSFF) Board of Directors.

The goal of the funding is to enhance and expand access services, care coordination as well as holistic and wellness services. The grant will support DLC’s efforts to ensure early identification, intervention and swift linkage to services to prevent children and adults from needing more intensive care when symptoms are at their worst.

The grant will expand the clinical team at both DLC’s Main Campus Immokalee locations. To improve mental health treatment access, funds will be used towards the addition of two new Triage and Referral Managers as well as a Nurse Navigator in the Access Center. These positions screen, triage, review and outreach individuals referred to DLC and serve as a liaison between clients, referral sources, pharmacies, providers and insurance companies.

To improve care coordination, funding will also be used to assist with the addition of an Enhanced Rehab Specialist and a Children’s Resource Coordinator in the Crisis Stabilization Unit. These positions coordinate daily wellness groups for inpatient clients and provide critical discharge planning from inpatient to outpatient and community-based care.

Treatment funds will support wellness services such as music therapy, personalized fitness, nutritional education and art therapy provided in the children’s crisis stabilization unit and the partial hospitalization program.

“Through this generous grant, Collier County children, adults and families will improve their ability to access and navigate care as well as enhance the patient experience and engagement,” said Scott Burgess, DLC Chief Executive Officer. “The RMSFF funding and other private donations from the community are critical to ensure DLC can carry out its vital mission. We greatly appreciate RMSFF’s continued investment in our programs and the lives of those we are honored to serve.”

RMSFF human and social services grants assist families with a variety of needs, including food and nutrition, housing or shelter, skill training and development, and serious medical challenges. These grants offer opportunities that help people lead self-sufficient, productive lives. 

“The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation cares about the health and wellbeing of children and families and is aware of the increased mental health needs in our community,” said Mary Beth Geier, RMSFF Florida Director. “The timing of this award allows DLC to more promptly assess pediatric patients and improve access to high quality mental healthcare services. We hold the team of professionals at DLC in high regard and are confident that our investment will have a positive impact in our community and help coordinate the necessary therapeutic supports to meet the growing demand for services for children and families in Collier County.”