Children’s Crisis Stabilization Funding Restored… For Now

Children’s Crisis Stabilization Funding Restored… For Now

Our anxious plea for help to temporarily replace the state funding that has been cut for the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (set to end June 2009) was answered when trustees from the Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF) gave us the great news that we had been funded from the proceeds of this year’s, now world renowned, Naples Winter Wine Festival.

NCEF awarded the Center a $150,000 grant that will be matched dollar for dollar by the David Lawrence Foundation providing $300,000 of temporary funding for the Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit. This funding covers the costs to operate two of the four beds on the unit. Nearly 200 children a year who are deemed a danger to themselves or others are admitted to the inpatient unit for assessment, stabilization and treatment for a psychiatric crisis.

Despite feelings of extreme relief, David Lawrence Centers and Foundation board members know all to well that this funding is only for a period of one year buying them only 12 short months to secure alternate sources of public and private dollars in order to keep the Crisis Unit open. David Schimmel, CEO of the David Lawrence Centers, states, “It is our hope that the State will restore this special appropriation for the upcoming 2009 budget and then ultimately make it a permanent part of our annual contract going forward.” He adds, “We understand that the economic forecast in Tallahassee is bleak, but further eroding an already grossly under funded mental health system (Florida ranks 48th in per capita mental health spending) is not the answer. These kids have no where else to go in Collier County and would have to be diverted outside of the County as far away as Tampa or Miami – ultimately crippling parents’ ability to take an active role in their children’s care.”

Apr 01, 2009 | News

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