Child and Family Mental Well-Being in Utah and Idaho

The Child and Family Mental Well-Being Grants, offered by Intermountain Health, aim to support programs and services that focus on families with children, aligning with a broader mission to enhance mental well-being in the community. While a specific foundation mission statement isn't explicitly detailed, the grant's focus strongly suggests an alignment with improving public health outcomes, particularly in the realm of mental health for younger populations. This initiative directly addresses critical health challenges within Idaho and Utah, specifically targeting Cassia and Minidoka counties, indicating a localized yet impactful approach to community health improvement. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are families with children. The impact goals are clearly defined, centering on reducing negative mental health indicators. These include a reduction in suicide deaths, a decrease in frequent mental distress (such as anxiety and depression), and a reduction in opioid misuse. These goals reflect a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of mental health challenges facing families today, aiming for tangible improvements in the well-being of the target population. The grant prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include mental well-being as an overarching theme, alongside specific focuses on prevention and early intervention strategies. Comprehensive programs that engage the entire family are highly valued, as is the implementation of trauma-informed systems specifically designed for young children. Furthermore, the grant seeks to support and strengthen community coalitions, recognizing the importance of collaborative efforts in creating sustainable mental health support systems. These priorities suggest a strategic approach that emphasizes holistic care, early intervention, and community-wide engagement. Expected outcomes and measurable results from this grant are directly tied to the stated impact goals. Programs are anticipated to demonstrate a measurable reduction in suicide deaths, decreased instances of frequent mental distress, and a decline in opioid misuse among the beneficiary population. While specific metrics for "prevention and early intervention," "comprehensive family programs," "trauma-informed systems," and "community coalitions" are not detailed, the expectation is that funded initiatives will contribute to these broader outcomes. The funding structure, allowing grant awards between $5,000 and $50,000 and requiring an organization's annual operating budget to be at least five times the grant request, implies a focus on supporting established and capable organizations that can demonstrate effective program delivery and measurable impact.