Gov. Reeves Announces Investment In Mental Health Services For Mississippi Youth

JACKSON, Miss . - Gov. Tate Reeves today announced the state of Mississippi is deploying $3,375,709 to support expanded mental health services for children, adolescents and young adults who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Community Development Block Grant CARES Act Coronavirus Relief (CDBG-CV) program, the Mississippi Development Authority has approved targeted funding to modernize treatment environments and establish new programming focused on long-term recovery.

"These grants demonstrate our commitment to the health and future of Mississippi's children. We have a responsibility to make sure our most vulnerable young people have access to the support they need to overcome the challenges they face, whether that's a safe place to heal or the tools to build a future," said Gov. Tate Reeves. "These investments empower Methodist Children's Homes of Mississippi to help more young people overcome adversity and reach their full potential."

Administered through Mississippi's Mental Healthcare Services Program, the investments will support projects for Methodist Children's Homes of Mississippi and are designed to address mental health needs of those 24 and younger, with a focus on expanding services for low-to-moderate-income individuals in underserved communities.

"This investment is an opportunity to position Mississippi at the forefront of trauma-informed care for children," said Methodist Children's Homes of Mississippi CEO Gretchen Cook. "It allows us to translate what we know about the impact of trauma on a child's development into meaningful change in how we care for children, from the environments where they live and heal to the programs and opportunities that prepare them for the future. We are deeply grateful to Governor Reeves and the Mississippi Development Authority for investing in Mississippi's children and helping us create new pathways to hope and healing."

"Strong communities depend on strong support systems, especially for young people facing significant challenges," said MDA Executive Director Bill Cork. "These projects will expand access to specialized care while creating environments that promote healing, stability and long-term success. MDA is proud to partner in investments that strengthen services and create transformative opportunities for Mississippi's children and families."

The grants are as follows:

Mental Health Clinic Refurnishing - $824,122

• Serves adolescents ages 14-20 in foster care through the revitalization of Methodist Children's Homes' on-campus mental health clinic into a sensory-informed, trauma-responsive environment.
• Funds will be used for sensory equipment, furnishings, facility infrastructure and technology, trauma-informed design and consulting costs, administrative costs and indirect costs. Improvements include upgraded therapy offices for confidential counseling, a reconfigured intake/conference room, a group therapy room, a calming regulation room, an action-based sensory room and a therapeutic outdoor courtyard.

Therapeutic Residential Facilities Revitalization - $988,873

• Modernizes six residential treatment facilities on the Methodist Children's Homes campus to better serve adolescents in foster care who have experienced severe trauma.
• Funds will be used for furnishings, paint, flooring, artwork, lighting, professional trauma-informed design services and administrative costs. Improvements include updated appliances, dedicated sensory rooms, furniture designed for behavioral health settings and environmental modifications that promote emotional stability.

Healing Arts Program - $988,488

• Serves youth through evidence-based art and music therapy programs that support long-term mental health recovery, particularly for those impacted by COVID-19.
• Funds will support a program coordinator, a music therapist, an art therapist, a Healing Arts Summer Camp, a Visiting Artist and Musicians Series, a Trauma-Informed Art Mural Collaboration Series, art supplies, art and music studio design, equipment and setup, technology infrastructure, electronic medical record systems and administrative costs.

Trauma-Informed Transitional Living Program - $574,226

• Serves youth and young adults ages 14-21 in foster care at Methodist Children's Homes who have experienced significant, complex trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to face mental health challenges.
• Funds will establish a therapeutic transitional living facility for youth ages 18-21 where participants can continue receiving trauma-informed mental health care while developing practical, interpersonal and workforce readiness skills. The project will also create a Trauma-Informed Life Skills and Workforce Readiness Center featuring workforce simulation programs and career exploration opportunities, including healthcare/certified nursing assistant, cosmetology and barbering, housekeeping and custodial care, food services and hospitality and commercial driving and logistics. Improvements will include furnishing, equipping, modernizing and upgrading two existing campus facilities without construction, demolition or structural modification.