Studer Family Children’s Hospital has received a four-year grant from the Florida Blue Foundation to establish a new mental health support program for children and families facing serious health challenges across Northwest Florida.
- Details: The grant will fund the Sacred Support program, which adds a licensed mental health therapist to the Children’s Hospital staff. The therapist will provide emotional and psychological support to children and families dealing with extended hospital stays, traumatic injuries, or new medical diagnoses.
Mental Health Problem
The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute’s 2025 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps revealed that Escambia County has a higher rate of poor mental health days (6.2) than the state and national average (5.1). The county’s 2025 rate is higher than I reported two years ago (5.0). The Community Health Needs Assessment reports for 2022 and 2025 listed mental health issues as the #3 area of concern.
- Achieve Healthy EscaRosa made improving mental health a priority in its 2023-2025 Community Improvement Plan. Its goal was to improve collaboration and coordination of community efforts and to develop a process map. Rep. Michelle Salzman’s Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida produced a strategic plan in June 2023. Meanwhile, mental health conditions have worsened.
A Pivotal Grant
“We are grateful to the Florida Blue Foundation for awarding us this pivotal grant,” said Dr. Jason Foland, President of Studer Family Children’s Hospital. “By providing comprehensive mental health care at the point of care, this new service ensures that children and families in Northwest Florida receive the emotional and psychological support they need for healing and well-being.”
- The program will serve children and families from 10 rural counties across Northwest Florida, where access to mental health care remains limited. Services will include individual therapy, family therapy, group sessions, and parenting support.
“This generous grant will allow us to create a new Sacred Support program,” said Adrienne Maygarden, President of the Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation. “The program will offer individual, family and group therapy sessions, as well as parenting support. Sacred Support ensures that no child or family faces the emotional challenges of illness or injury alone.”
- The grant is one of eight mental well-being grants awarded by Florida Blue Foundation across the state. Susan Towler, executive director of the Florida Blue Foundation, said the organization is proud to support nonprofits committed to improving families’ mental well-being.
Hong Potomski, Florida Blue Northwest Florida Market Leader, emphasized the partnership’s importance in bridging the gap in mental health services for those who need it most.
Background: Studer Family Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in Northwest Florida, offering care across 30 pediatric specialties and more than 120 board-certified physicians. The hospital provides quality care to children regardless of their parents’ ability to pay.