FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The REACH Institute Awarded $300,000 by Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation to Expand Mental Health Access

The grant will help advance the organization’s goal of expanding evidence-based mental health training to primary care providers, hospital systems, FQHCs and statewide initiatives.

NEW YORK, April 25, 2023 — The REACH Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that the most effective, scientifically proven mental health care reaches all children and families, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant from global venture philanthropy firm, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK). The grant includes $300,000 in funding and ongoing support, including a member of DRK joining REACH’s Board of Directors.

The three-year grant will help REACH dramatically increase its impact on children’s mental health by growing its evidence-based programs, aimed at expanding the child mental health work force.  Led by national leaders in child psychiatry, psychology, and pediatrics, REACH’s flagship course, Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP), equips primary care providers (PCPs) with the tools and skills to diagnose and treat common children’s mental health issues, like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, within their own offices. To date, this program has trained 6,000+ PCPs nationwide.

“We are thrilled to join the DRK family,” said Dr. Lisa Hunter Romanelli, CEO of The REACH Institute. “This grant enables us to scale our training programs and meet the needs of so many families nationwide who do not currently have access to mental health care”.

Founded in 2002, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation supports early stage, high impact social enterprises that are working to solve some of society’s most complex problems. DRK’s latest annual report highlights the 300 million lives impacted by their portfolio to date, and includes stories of hope, resilience and transformation.

“Mental health resources and mental health needs are at a crisis point,” said Jim Bildner, CEO of Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. “This is particularly true with adolescents in need. Over and over again, we see needs not only unmet, but also not diagnosed. The REACH Institute is breaking through this crisis by expanding the ability of front-line pediatricians to recognize mental health issues and take appropriate measures to treat them in real time. Its potential to exponentially expand available resources in every community is enormous. Making this happen has never been more important.”

With the support of the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, The REACH Institute will continue to work towards a world where all children, especially those with the greatest need, have access to effective mental health care.

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About The REACH  Institute:
The REACH Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that the most effective, scientifically proven mental health care reaches all children and families. Led by national experts in child psychiatry, psychology, and pediatrics, REACH has been increasing the nation’s capacity to help families with mental health issues since 2006. Their evidenced-based training programs equip primary care providers, mental health clinicians, health care institutions, educators, and caregivers on the most advanced therapies to better diagnose, treat and manage child and adult mental health issues. More trained providers means better access for hundreds of thousands of suffering families. To learn more about The REACH Institute and their training programs, visit: www.thereachinstitute.org

About DRK:
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK) is a global venture philanthropy firm that funds early-stage, social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest and most pressing social and environmental problems with bold, scalable approaches. Since 2002, DRK has funded 200+ high impact organizations tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges and who, in the aggregate, are impacting 300 million lives. DRK’s portfolio includes organizations working both in the US and internationally, helping to provide critical access to healthcare, education, food security, social justice, water and sanitation, transparency and accountability, and shelter.