2020 Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ Moments Recognition: Youth Crisis Center

The first winner of the 2020 Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ Moments Recognition is the Youth Crisis Center. The Youth Crisis Center is being recognized for their outstanding innovation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Youth Crisis Center provides a 24/7 Crisis hotline, serving the 5-county area of Northeast Florida. Between March and April, they experienced a 189% increase in calls, the majority of which were for therapy services. With this unprecedented demand for services for both new and existing clients, Youth Crisis Center moved quickly to ensure that those who had nowhere else to turn could quickly access high quality mental health care. 

In order to continue meeting the needs of youth and their families, Youth Crisis Center purchased technology for all staff members that allows for HIPAA-compliant video conferencing. As a result, they are now able to provide mental health counseling, psychiatry services, case management, and other services for their clients virtually. 

“We are proud to say that throughout these times, there has not been one day of disruption to our behavioral health services. A vibrant community is one where mental health and talking about one’s struggles are not only destigmatized, but encouraged. With so much uncertainty in our collective future, one fact remains true: Youth Crisis Center committed to building a stronger community, and is here to provide ALL children and families with high-quality mental health care, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.”

Kim Sirdevan, LCSW, President and CEO

While this innovation meets an immediate need that was created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff of Youth Crisis Center have realized the significant benefits that this technology can provide to their clients. Many clients struggle to find reliable access to transportation in order to attend face-to-face counseling and other services. With mental health counseling, case management and psychiatry services available virtually through one provider, Youth Crisis Center is helping to eliminate the transportation barrier that would otherwise prohibit many of those whom they serve from receiving comprehensive care. 

About the 2020 Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ Moments Recognition Program. 

This post is the first of a six-part series. Over the next 5 weeks, The Nonprofit Center will recognize a total of seven local nonprofit organizations for their programs and services that have created a lasting impact in our community through the 2020 Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ Moments Recognition Program. 

In 2011, the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, partnered to create the Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ initiative to help nonprofits connect with the community and each other. The initiative includes marketing materials for nonprofits to use as well as the signature awards program to highlight the achievements of nonprofits in the Northeast Florida area.

In 2020, due to the unique circumstances created by COVID-19, The Nonprofit Center expanded the program to recognize five Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ moments in addition to two Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ awards in the categories of Collective Power and Social Innovation. Each of the five organizations recognized with the 2020 Local Focus. Lasting Impact.™ Moments received a $750 cash award, sponsored by Jessie Ball duPont Reflective Practice Endowment Fund at The Community Foundation For Northeast Florida. The Collective Power and Social Innovation award winners each received a $1,250 cash prize, sponsored by Florida Blue, a documentary film donated by WJCT, and an additional cash prize of $1000 to create and deliver a Learning Lab, sponsored by Community First Credit Union.