We Are Advocates for Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health

Founded in 2016, Kids’ Minds Matter is Southwest Florida’s strategic solution for addressing the mental health epidemic affecting our community’s children and families. We actively raise awareness about the urgent need for pediatric mental and behavioral healthcare services. In collaboration with our advocates, we raise funds necessary for expanding programs and partnerships that strengthen mental healthcare through Golisano Children’s Hospital, Lee Health, and community partners. Additionally, we focus on identifying gaps in care and driving the development of innovative, wrap-around services to better serve our community’s youth and their families.

A young child with light brown hair looks into the distance, standing outside on green grass with soft sunlight in the background—a gentle reminder of the importance of children’s mental health services.

Our Mission

As an initiative of Lee Health, Kids’ Minds Matter is dedicated to raising awareness and funds that will drive and support opportunities for increased access to pediatric mental and behavioral healthcare in a five county region of Florida including Lee, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Charlotte counties.

Our Vision

To ensure children receive the right care at the right place and right time, making the full continuum of services available in our region.

Our Impact

Focusing on Three Critical Areas of Opportunity

Kids Playing outside
1

Expanding Access to Care

Early intervention is critical to ensuring positive outcomes for children with mental health challenges. We are committed to further expanding access to care to meet the growing demand and reduce the need for emergency interventions by:

  • Growing Golisano Children’s Hospital’s pediatric behavioral health clinics, with the addition of satellite locations in Cape Coral and Naples.
  • Expanding the highly successful Mental Health Navigator Program to more schools.
  • Enhancing emergency care for kids in crisis and developing a comprehensive Intensive Outpatient Program for Psychiatric and Psychological Health (Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Program).
  • Increasing the number of providers, including psychologists and psychiatrists, to reduce wait times.
  • Establishing telehealth solutions and kiosks in underserved areas to ensure families have access to care where they live and work.
2

Building Capacity in the Region

Attracting and retaining skilled providers is essential to meeting the growing demand in our community. We continue to improve and expand the recruitment of mental health professionals in our region by:

  • Partnering with Florida Gulf Coast University to offer scholarships for students pursuing careers in marriage/family counseling and social work.
  • Collaborating with other children’s hospitals here in Southwest Florida, Rochester, and Syracuse to offer internship and residency opportunities.
  • Strengthening integration with Florida State University’s family medicine and internal medicine programs.
3

Community Engagement and Partnership

Kids’ Minds Matter recognizes the value of collaboration with local agencies and community partners to enhance mental health resources and awareness. We are focused on increasing our impact by:

  • Building on the success and reach of youth programs like Normal is Overrated.
  • Sponsoring and participating in regional events, lectures, and symposiums to spread awareness.
  • Providing additional education and training for peers, caregivers, and advocates to assist with early intervention and care. 
  • Advocating through integrated lobbying efforts at local, state, and federal levels.
  • Strengthening community partnerships to provide a comprehensive support network for children and their families.

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