FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CenterPlace Health Receives COVID Relief Grant
Sarasota, Fla., August 31, 2022 – CenterPlace Health has received a grant for behavioral healthcare from the COVID-19 Response Initiative of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
“The impact from COVID has been significant for our behavioral health program,” said Bart Hodgens, PhD for CenterPlace Health. “Mental health referrals have almost doubled in the past year and so have encounters with behavioral health providers. The need for counseling, psychiatric, and psychological testing services is greater than ever.”
The grant will enable CenterPlace Health to fund a Doctoral Psychology Intern position. The process to start finding interns starts now so this funding will secure an intern for next year. In addition to covering the intern, this grant will also be used to purchase additional testing supplies for the behavioral health testing team.
“This COVID-19 Response Initiative has empowered so many community non-profits, like us, to forge ahead and not feel alone in the fight to meet the needs of our clients,” said Dr. Lisa Gonzalez-Abello, Chief Medical Officer for CenterPlace Health. “Although the pandemic is slowly coming to an end, we realize the repercussions will continue to affect the mental health of many and we are honored to serve those patients that need our services.”
About CenterPlace Health
CenterPlace Health’s mission drives the work that they do to provide high-quality, low-cost health care. The mission of CenterPlace Health is to provide efficient and effective delivery of quality, affordable health services to a diverse population in a compassionate and caring manner. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, CenterPlace Health is committed to addressing the whole patient through primary care, dental care, and integrated behavioral health services at six locations throughout Sarasota County. Learn more at CenterPlaceHealth.org.
About Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
The Charles and Margery Barancik family has long believed in the power of philanthropy to shape our world and enrich the lives of all people. It was the expression of this belief that led them in 2014 to establish Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation—a private, family foundation located in Sarasota, Florida. Barancik Foundation creates initiatives and awards grants in Sarasota and beyond in the areas of education, humanitarian causes, arts and culture, the environment, and medical research. For more information, visit www.barancikfoundation.org.
About Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Headquartered in Venice, Fl. and with a second office in downtown Sarasota, Fla., Gulf Coast Community Foundation has transformed the region through bold and proactive philanthropy for over 25 years. Serving the needs of the region as a partner in philanthropy, and leader in community initiatives, Gulf Coast has granted $490 million in the areas of: health and human services, civic and economic development, education, arts and culture, and the environment. Gulf Coast was named one of the “Best Nonprofits to Work For” nationally by The Nonprofit Times in 2010, 2011, 2017, 2020, and 2021. To learn more visit GulfCoastCF.org and follow us on Facebook at @GulfCoastCommFnd.