Enhancing Mental Health Capacity for Youth-Serving Organizations

About this funding opportunity

Grant closed Grant Details

Application Materials

Application PDF

Reference Documents

2024 FAQs

Enhancing Mental Health Capacity for Youth-Serving Organizations PPT

Contact

youthmh@hria.org Overview

The goal of this initiative is to build the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) serving marginalized youth, particularly youth of color and/or LGBTQ+ individuals, who face significant behavioral health disparities. Health Resources in Action (HRiA), a Boston-based non-profit working to improve and reimagine public health, is partnering with the Boston Public Health Commission’s (BPHC) Center for Behavioral Health and Wellness on this initiative. HRiA will offer training and coaching to youth workers working directly with youth to enhance individual and CBO capacity to better support the immediate and long-term mental health needs of youth. Organizations will identify up to two staff members, who will serve as Behavioral Health Champions (BHCs), and will receive training and coaching that will help them better identify, understand, address, and follow up on youth mental health needs in a non-clinical setting. These BHCs will participate in a Training of Trainers (ToT) and return to their organizations to provide foundational Mental Health 101 training to their youth-serving colleagues with support from HRiA. Each BHC will receive a certificate of completion, and each organization can receive up to $5000 for their participation in this initiative. Organization Eligibility Requirements

This capacity-building opportunity is available to Boston’s youth-serving CBOs that meet the following criteria: Serves 14-18 year old youth consistently (at least weekly) with dedicated programming provided on an ongoing basis (programming has been in place for at least one full year) Mission of organization is consistent with BPHC overall mission and vision Are based in Boston ( Neighborhoods \ Boston.gov) Serve youth who reside in Boston Serve youth of color and/or LGBTQ+ youth Staff reflect the identities of the youth served Have demonstrated histories of trust and high regard by youth and the communities in which they are situated Not clinical in nature i.e., does not provide behavioral or mental health services as its main objective or outcome The following are ineligible for this opportunity: Schools Health centers and/or hospitals For-profit organizations Notable dates and information for our 4th cohort:

Training of Trainer sessions: Jan 27, 29, Feb 3, 5, 2026

Boston location TBD Once accepted, organizations can expect to receive the following: A 16-hour Training-of-Trainers (ToT) provided by HRiA over four 4-hour sessions delivered to a cohort of youth serving staff to become Behavioral Health Champions (BHCs) at their organizations. Each organization can send up to two staff to become BHCs. HRiA will coordinate a time that is most conducive to participants. The topics tentatively covered at this ToT are: Building Collective Resiliency in Youth: Culturally Responsive Strategies for Supporting Mental Health Trauma-Informed and Healing Centered Practices in Youth Programs and Communities Substance Use and Harm Reduction and its Connection to Mental Health Mental Health Support Strategies A maximum stipend of $5000 per organization, broken down as follows: $1500 stipend per staff (up to 2) who attends the 16-hour BHC ToT. We encourage sending two staff, however, one can suffice. HRiA expects a portion of this stipend to go directly to the staff, more guidance to be provided later. $1000 stipend for each six-hour Mental Health 101 training* (up to 2) that the CBO offers to their staff, volunteers and/or community partners on mental health topics sourced from the 16-hour HRiA provided training. HRiA will provide the BHCs with the training agendas and related materials. Individualized and group technical assistance and networking opportunities, including but not limited to, training preparation, networking, and co-facilitation…

Topic areas: Life Sciences and Health, Social Innovation and Community Development, Education and Training, Gender Equality and Diversity, Workforce Development.

Funding amount

This grant provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no single fixed deadline.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• Not specified by the program.

Eligibility

The program did not publish a separate eligibility statement. See the official opportunity page for the full eligibility criteria.

Agency

Enhancing Mental Health Capacity for Youth-Serving Organizations is administered by Health Resources in Action (HRiA), listed via Health Resources in Action.