TRAVERSE CITY — Munson Healthcare announced a $10,000 gift to the Behavioral Health Initiative on April 9 in Traverse City to strengthen youth mental health services across Northern Michigan.
The gift supports community-based solutions within the Northern Michigan Community Health Innovation Region, specifically the MIFamily Resources Network and Therapy Corps.
“As a nonprofit healthcare system, Munson is committed to reinvesting in our community with trusted partners who are directly addressing the needs — including mental health — identified through our Community Health Needs Assessment,” Munson Healthcare CEO Laura Glenn said.
Glenn said the gift builds on a history of partnership to expand access, close gaps in care and better support youth and families.
The MIFamily Resources Network connects families to local resources from prenatal stages through age 17 via a curated website. The platform was built from parent-led focus groups and provides guidance on developmental milestones, early signs of mental health concerns, pathways to assessments and parenting support.
The funding also advances Therapy Corps, a program the Behavioral Health Initiative plans to launch later this year.
The program is designed to help clinicians obtain required training hours while expanding mental health support for local youth, specifically addressing the shortage of clinicians who accept Medicaid.
“Our work is focused on building community-based solutions that make it easier for families to find the support they need,” Pennie Foster-Fishman said.
Foster-Fishman, the lead of the Behavioral Health Initiative, said the contribution strengthens tools that help ensure children and families have access to effective support before a crisis arises.