The Escambia Children’s Trust has suspended its grant to New World Believers, Inc. for its mental health program, Healthy Opportunities and Options Promoting Success.
(H.O.O.
New World Believers director Latasha Jones notified the Trust Executive Director Lindsey Cannon and the Board of Rodney Jones’ suspension but offered no further information. Click on the image to enlarge it. On Jan. 5, New World Believers amended its Corporation Annual Report with the Florida Secretary of State, removing Rodney Jones as its registered agent. See Amended 2026.
What’s H.O.O.P.S.
According to the Trust’s annual mental health programming report, the Healthy Opportunities and Options Promoting Success (H.O.O.P.S.) program provides “comprehensive wraparound services” to at-risk youth aged 11-18 and their families in Northwest Florida. The Trust has given New World Believers a three-year grant, totalling $1.7 million, that began in October 2023. As of Nov. 30, 2025, the nonprofit received $901,972.
The program operates on a 90-day cycle model with an additional 90-day aftercare period, while maintaining an open-door policy for former participants who need continued support. H.O.O.P.S. offers a wide range of services, including cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional intelligence training, mental health counseling (individual, group, and family), employability skills training, legal aid workshops, case management, and mentoring. The program aims to help youth and families overcome mental health issues and social barriers while building resilience, self-worth, economic sustainability, and parenting skills.
During its first year of operation, from October 2023 through July 2024, H.O.O.P.S. served 98 participants, exceeding the contract proposal to serve 160 youth and families. The program predominantly serves African American youth (85.7%), with slightly more female participants (56.1%) than male (43.9%), and a significant portion of participants—36%—come from families living in high-poverty census tracts where more than 30% of residents are below the poverty line. The program has strategic partnerships with the Department of Children & Families, Legal Services of Northwest Florida, UWF’s Criminal Justice Department, and the City of Pensacola Area Housing.
Informal Mental Health Questioned
In October, the Trust board raised questions about the mental health grants and voted to give 30-day extensions for three programs, including New World Believers, to give staff time to work with the organizations and for the program committee to review New World Believers, Twin Oaks Youth & Family Services and Lamplighters.
- Board member Tori Woods expressed concern about providers requesting funds for specific purposes and then reallocating the money to different ones. Commissioner Lumon May felt the administrative costs were excessive.
- Finance Director Tammy Abrams told the board, “New World Believers has a bunch of new line items that weren’t in Year 1 that are on Year 3.”
Commissioner May raised fundamental questions about the Trust’s approach to mental health services, noting that millions are being spent on what providers call “informal mental health supports” rather than licensed clinical services.
- “We’re millions of dollars, millions of dollars for informal mental health while children are going crazy every day,” May said. “Mental health is serious. So it’s informal, but we have the ability, and we have the resources to provide real mental health… I don’t want anybody to give me any informal healthcare about my diabetes or my blood pressure. I mean, mental health is just as serious as that.”
The board renewed the grants at the Trust’s December meeting. New World Believers’ request for $585,685 was among the approvals.
What’s Next
The Trust Board meets tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the commission chambers. It will be the first time for the public to hear about the suspension and the actions taken by staff.
For us, this is a developing story, so stay tuned for more information.