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Education

Scottsdale nonprofit gets $2M from Arizona Department of Education

Posted 5/9/22

The Arizona Department of Education has announced $12.1 million in funding health and learning initiatives, with notMYkid receiving $2 million.

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Education

Scottsdale nonprofit gets $2M from Arizona Department of Education

Posted

The Arizona Department of Education has announced $12.1 million in funding health and learning initiatives, with notMYkid receiving $2 million.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, DOE has offered targeted funding to the organization to expand its prevention and behavioral health services to 50,000 youth, parents, caregivers and school faculty, according to a press release, noting services will focus on serving Title-I schools, LGBTQ youth, and low-income students/families.

“We know students learn best when they feel their best mentally and physically,” said Arizona Department of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman in a prepared statement. “We want every parent to feel confident, knowing that their kids are learning at their highest potential, and these investments will play an important role in achieving that goal.”

The funding will help notMYkid reach 50,000 school-aged youth, parents/caregivers, and school faculty throughout Arizona, the release said.

“Our prevention, family navigation, and peer support services are delivered in-person and virtually through our technology-assisted care mobile app,” said Kristen Polin, notMYKid CEO, in the release.

“This tremendous support from the Department of Education will allow us to expand our evidenced-based programming to reach thousands of students in grades 6-12 across the state and support communities hit hardest by the pandemic, as well as LGBTQ youth, minority groups, and low-income families.”

Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults 10-24 in 2021 (CDC) and Arizona ranks in the top 10 nationally for youth suicides, according to the release. See some important information below:

  • Compromised youth mental health leads to negative risk taking and an increased chance of developing a substance use disorder.
  • Research shows a severe gap in behavioral healthcare services for youth and access to immediate services has become very limited due to COVID-19.
  • Those hit hardest are the most disadvantaged children and they need increased mental health support as they struggle to manage grief, anxiety, or other emotional needs that will require long-term monitoring and an ongoing response.

Background on MYkid:
Founded in 2000, notMYkid is an Arizona-based nonprofit to inspire positive life choices. notMYkid works to educate and protect local children by providing a full continuum of life-saving prevention, early intervention, behavioral health support, and well-being programs.

A team of prevention and behavioral health experts assist youths in overcoming challenges during the most vulnerable years, offering programs in schools, community organizations, at work places, and to devices via Podcast and webinars.

For more information or to donate, visit notMYkid.org.