Children and youth in the United States are experiencing a profound mental health crisis.

Among youth ages 12 to 17 who experienced a major depressive episode, nearly half perceived that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected their mental health. Emergency department visits for mental health concerns have also increased significantly. These patterns are intensified among children and adolescents exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

“Promoting the ability of our children and youth to adapt in the face of adversity is critical to avoiding long-term negative mental health outcomes and to improving the well-being of individuals and their communities. Our approach must be inclusive, comprehensive, and community-led,” said HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. “That is the approach we have taken with the HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration. And thanks to President Biden, we are finally and seriously saying to Americans struggling with their mental health: We hear you. Support is here.”

As a result, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the opportunity to receive funding for innovative, community led solutions that promote resilience among children and youth. The challenge sought to fund community solutions that:

  • Promote resilience and advance mental health and well-being among children and youth
  • Reduce the risk for negative mental health outcomes among children and youth
  • Promote positive strategies and solutions that help children and youth thrive
  • Identify and elevate promising practices that promote culturally and linguistically responsive protective factors.

Thrilled to see a challenge that perfectly aligns with the Bounce coalition’s vision of building resilient children and families, we applied to the challenge. Bounce, along with 13 other organizations across the U.S. have been honored to be selected as phase I finalists when more than 500 applications were submitted. 

With this funding, we will be able to provide support to the YMCA of Greater Louisville in providing social-emotional learning programming and resilience-building training directly to youth and families in their School-Age Child Care (SACC) program. For this project, Bounce will pilot regular social-emotional learning programming in one SACC site, selected by YMCA, that serves underserved kids and families with the highest need. We are elated to have the opportunity to maintain our commitment to helping children and families in Kentucky bounce back from adversity.

Check out the full list of finalists to learn more about the creative solutions that other states will be enacting to build resiliency among children.