TAMPA, Fla.–– Kids’ Minds Matter has been awarded a $225,000 multi-year gift from Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to sustain its Mental Health Navigator Program.
The funding, distributed over three years beginning in 2026, will ensure continuity of care for families facing mental and behavioral health challenges across Southwest Florida, the organizations said.
The Mental Health Navigator Program launched as a pilot in 2020, the result of a leadership gift from Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, and has since grown into a robust, regional model for behavioral health support. Today, it includes 10 navigators embedded in public schools, pediatric practices and community organizations, serving some of the region’s most vulnerable children and families.
“I feel deeply fulfilled knowing that my work helps families heal and grow together,” said Farren Williams, mental health navigator at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “It’s incredible to witness the resilience that can emerge when individuals receive the support they need. Helping families navigate their challenges and improve their relationships is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.”
According to the organizations, Navigators are experienced caregivers of individuals with serious emotional stressors who provide peer mentoring, resource referrals and personalized guidance through the complex mental health system. They help families access basic needs, like food and rental assistance, while also connecting them to long-term behavioral health care. The navigators do not provide therapy, but serve as trusted guides, breaking down barriers to care.
In just the last two fiscal quarters, the Mental Health Navigator Program served 158 children across 79 families. Since inception, it has supported more than 564 children and 846 individuals in total. Top concerns addressed include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder and aggressive behaviors.
The average length of support for each family is 254 days, or roughly 8.5 months, illustrating the intensive, wraparound nature of the program. Despite growing demand, reflected in a constant waitlist, participants have experienced significant improvements, such as:
- School attendance improved by 54%.
- Academic performance increased by an
- average of two grade levels.
- Baker Act hospitalizations reduced by 50%.
- Classroom disruptions significantly decreased.
“Attending to the mental health of youth and families is paramount to health and wellness. When we address the issues of mental health, we raise the standard of life for all of those in our communities. We take great pride in this program and are proud to work with Lee Health in an effort to bring a deeper understanding of mental health issues to those in need. This program is mission aligned for both organizations, and we are proud to support these efforts,” Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Suncoast Credit Union, said in a statement.
The continued partnership pushes Suncoast Credit Union’s total impact on Lee Health’s programs to nearly $3 million.