Free mental health services available to DCPS students and families

Jacksonville, Fla. — Students at all Duval County public schools now have access to free mental health services, thanks to $5.5 million in grants through the Full Service Schools initiative.

The grants will be used to deliver mental health counseling and other support services to students of all ages and their families for the 2022-2023 school year.

“Mental health care is critical to addressing non-academic barriers to success, and thousands of students and families need help accessing this important resource,” said Keto Porter, director of Full Service Schools, which is administered by United Way. “We are thrilled with the selected providers, who we know will provide the right expertise and dedication to ensure this vital service continues to be delivered at the highest quality.”

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The services will be available at eight sites through these organizations:

· Jewish Family & Community Services (Arlington Family Resource Center)

· Child Guidance Center (Beaches Family Resource Center and Sandalwood Family Resource Center)

· Children’s Home Society (Englewood Family Resource Center and Ribault Family Resource Center)

· Daniel (Greater Springfield Family Resource Center and Historic James Weldon Johnson Family Resource Center)

· Family Foundations of Northeast Florida (Westside Family Resource Center)

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To access thse mental health services, families are asked to call the United Way 211 information hotline.

Callers can dial 2-1-1 or (904) 632-0600.

Testing is available by texting “Hello” to 211904.

Parents and students can also contact their school’s guidance counselor.

“The City of Jacksonville and The Kids Hope Alliance are proud to partner with Duval County Public Schools and United Way to provide comprehensive therapeutic, health and social services to vulnerable members of our community,” said Mayor Lenny Curry in a news release. “This collaboration between public and nonprofit sectors has created a more efficient and effective tool to meet the needs of at-hope youth in our community.”