Mental Health: Investing in organizations that provide direct counseling and substance abuse treatment

Mental Health: Investing in organizations that provide direct counseling and substance abuse treatment is sponsored by United Way of Southeast Louisiana. This program invests in organizations that provide direct counseling and substance abuse treatment to expand the capacity of local providers supporting those facing mental health challenges and creating a more supportive and healthy community.

United Way announces first-ever RESOLVE Grant recipients - United Way of Southeast Louisiana Skip to content United Way announces first-ever RESOLVE Grant recipients United Way announces first-ever RESOLVE Grant recipients $250,000 Awarded to 16 Orleans Parish Nonprofits Supporting Vulnerable Communities NEW ORLEANS – United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA), on behalf of the New Orleans Mental Health Collaborative (MHC) , is proud to announce the recipients of the first-ever Resilient, Equitable Systems for Overcoming Loss and Violence Everywhere (RESOLVE) NOLA Impact Grants .

The MHC partners created the grants to address the critical shortage of mental health resources and addiction services for youth and their families who face the profound impacts of community violence and collective trauma in New Orleans.

“Access to comprehensive mental health services remains one of my top priorities, and the RESOLVE Impact Grants are a solid step toward improving the health, safety, and quality of life for all New Orleans residents,” said New Orleans District A City Councilmember and MHC Committee Co-chair, Joe Giarrusso.

“All 16 grant recipients have proven their dedication to our shared goals and have already created a lasting impact for many New Orleans youth. This is just one of the many practical and productive impacts of the Mental Health Collaborative.

” The RESOLVE NOLA Impact Grants will allocate funds to foster expanded, equitable access to trauma-informed community violence support for youth of color in the most vulnerable communities in Orleans Parish. The funding is designed to build a seamless system of culturally relevant services to mitigate the lasting effects of trauma and violence.

“For 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana has committed to supporting those working tirelessly to address the pressing needs of our community, and the RESOLVE NOLA Community Impact Grants reinforce this,” said Michael Williamson, UWSELA President and CEO.

“As the need for comprehensive mental health services for youth remains a significant challenge in New Orleans, the RESOLVE grants represent a key advancement in providing essential resources and empowering young people and their families to build resilience and navigate challenges.

” Sixteen Orleans Parish nonprofit organizations will receive up to $25,000 of the $250,000 in grant funding to provide critical mental health services, addiction prevention programs and trauma-informed support structures.

The 2024 RESOLVE NOLA Impact Grants recipients include: Children’s Bureau of New Orleans Communities in Schools Gulf South Good Shepherd Nativity School Health & Education Alliance of Louisiana Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies Phoenix Communities of NOLA Whole Village Art Therapy This year’s grant recipients underwent a rigorous review process to ensure equitable and fair funding to address behavioral health disparities and social determinants of health.

A panel of experts carefully evaluated each applicant based on factors such as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) representation, history of successfully serving youth, purpose and program goals, delivery methods, project sustainability and measurement tools.

“It was a privilege to serve on the Community Advisory Board for this grant-giving opportunity,” said Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin, LCSW-BACS, Deputy Director, Office of Youth and Families in the Mayor’s Office. “In alignment with the Youth Master Plan, it is vital to support the work at all levels of intervention that serves youth and families that are most impacted by trauma and violence.

” In December 2022, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded MHC partners over $1. 9 million, through Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma (ReCAST) grants, to expand and coordinate trauma-informed community behavioral health resources and services for young people.

The SAMHSA funding supports the RESOLVE NOLA Impact Grants to help serve youth and families living in communities of chronic poverty most impacted by collective trauma and community violence.

“This grant is a game-changer and is vital for us to continue to inspire girls to walk in their purpose,” says Tiffany LeBlanc, Executive Director of Glam U 101, Inc. “By providing focused interventions and support, we are addressing immediate emotional needs and laying the groundwork to mold the next generation of young ladies.

With this strong foundation, they will have the capacity to become successful leaders equipped with the self-confidence needed to overcome challenges and realize their full potential. ” Mental health issues impact multiple aspects of a person’s life, and delays in mental health treatment are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, including the development of chronic co-existing psychiatric and physical disorders.

When ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and youth do not have access to affordable, quality mental health care in a stigma-free environment, they are more likely to engage in potentially dangerous self-treatment, such as substance abuse. With 54% of Orleans Parish households living below the ALICE Threshold as of 2022, the RESOLVE NOLA Grant will significantly impact the community’s well-being.

“The SAMHSA RESOLVE Community Impact Grant is more than just funding; it’s a lifeline for the community we serve,” said Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, Executive and Medical Director of Metropolitan Human Services District and MHC Committee Co-chair. “This grant empowers us to expand our services and provide critical support to those struggling with mental illness and addiction, enabling them to experience tangible difference in their lives.

” To learn more about the initiative, please visit UnitedWaySELA. org/ResolveGrants or contact us at EboneeA@UnitedWaySELA. org .

About United Way of Southeast Louisiana For 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St.

Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty.

For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA. org . Find us on social: @UnitedWaySELA.

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CONNECT . Campaign Email: letsgo@helenamorenola. com @HelenamorenoHQ | @helenamorenola Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education?

If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget? Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1.

5M in city funds for additional seats. As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more.

I will continue this work as mayor. As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider. Commitment: If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people. I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS.

As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change. More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important.

New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds. Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city?

If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this. Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected. Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care.

It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair. The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds.

Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old.

For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs.

Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school.

This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work. Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments? How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them.

If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.

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