Quantum Invests in County’s Health
Private Grantmaking Organization Allocates More Than $800,000 for Whole Health Initiatives
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida: The board of trustees of Quantum Foundation, under the leadership of Mrs. Donna Mulholland, recently approved eight new grants totaling more than $800,000 to nonprofits based in Palm Beach County.
Quantum Foundation’s mission is to fund initiatives that improve the overall health of people living in Palm Beach County. In its 20th year of grantmaking, the foundation has assets of approximately $140 million and since its inception has awarded more than $125 million to hundreds of local nonprofit grantees. Every dollar the foundation grants stays in the county to benefit local communities. The most recent cycle of grants focuses on mental health, health education looking toward the future, and even housing for the area’s most vulnerable residents.
Of the eight grants awarded this cycle, Quantum Foundation allocated $250,000 to the Center for Child Counselling (CCC) for their work with ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences). CCC is considered the leader in ACEs and Trauma Informed Training and is driving the conversation on ACEs in Palm Beach County. The grant will help support staff positions to provide educational workshops, training and consultation for teachers, caregivers and professionals about ACEs, trauma, and integration of effective strategies to promote buffers and lifelong health for babies and young children.
ACEs are situations where a child faces some sort of trauma or stress. They are associated with abuse, neglect and household dysfunction. Nearly half the children in the United States have experienced at least one ACE indicator, while one in 10 have experienced at least three traumatic events. Most of these adverse situations arise from economic hardship, violence, drugs and mental illness.
“We believe in funding programs focusing on ‘whole health’ and the wellness of the community,” said Eric Kelly, president of Quantum Foundation. “The Center for Child Counseling is an innovative organization and an agent of change. Organizations like this are a great match for our vision. We are pleased to fund this program to make Palm Beach County a better place to live.”
This grant continues Quantum’s support of CCC. “We are so grateful to Quantum for helping us lead the fight against ACEs and the lifelong effects that can follow,” said Renée Layman, CEO at CCC. “Children interpret experiences differently and we know that unless they’re able to process those experiences – especially adverse ones – in a constructive way, the result can be a lifetime of mental and physical health issues. In recent years, scientific research has shown that adverse experiences and trauma affect not only mental health but the physiological development of a young child’s brain.”
If a child scores high on the ACEs scale, counselors like those at CCC can start them on a healing journey that can dramatically improve their future mental and physical health. To learn more about ACEs, CCC’s work, or to take the quick, anonymous 10-question ACEs test, visit: www.centerforchildcounseling.org/about-us/fightingACEs. Join the conversation using #FightingACEs.
Other grants approved in the recent Quantum Foundation grant cycle include:
• The Lord’s Place (West Palm Beach): $200,000
o This grant will allow TLP to expand their peer support program. This is an evidence-based model that helps the chronically homeless get off the streets and take advantage of the services and resources available to them.
• Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton): $113,168
o This program will integrate FAU’s School of Social Work students into local residency clinics. FAU will also be placing more students in internships with Quantum’s community partners and grantees.
• Palm Beach State College (Loxahatchee Groves): $102,303
o The grant will fund the Anatomage Table, known as the world’s first (digital? virtual?) visual dissection table. This tool will enhance the learning experiences and outcomes of PBSC anatomy and physiology students.
• Achievement Centers for Children & Families (Delray Beach): $55,000
o This program integrates behavioral health interventions with programming at ACCF’s campuses. They will provide ongoing case management to families that will decrease stressors and increase social and emotional support.
• Gulfstream Goodwill Industries (West Palm Beach): $50,000
o Funding will provide capital support for a six-unit building on Tamarind Avenue. This project will provide housing and wraparound services to developmentally disadvantaged clients.
• Children’s Bereavement Center (Lake Worth): $35,000
o CBC provides free support groups to children and young adults after the loss of a loved one. They are expanding their operations into PBC. They also provide education to community members on the affect loss has on children.
• YMCA of South Palm Beach County (Boca Raton): $32,500
o The Y’s Parkinson’s Movement & Mobility Therapy program uses fitness and exercise to slow Parkinson’s symptoms.
For information about Quantum Foundation or to learn about applying for grants, please visit http://www.quantumfnd.org/ or call 561-832-7497.
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