In New Orleans, where the echoes of collective trauma and community violence reverberate through our youth, the importance of mental health support remains critical. Youth mental health is a cornerstone of a community's future. United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA)’s partner, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), emphasizes, “Mental health needs a great deal of attention. It's the final taboo, and it needs to be faced and dealt with." Recognizing this, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has significantly stepped up, awarding the New Orleans Mental Health Collaborative partners over $1.9 million. This two-year investment into the collaborative’s Resilient, Equitable Systems for Overcoming Loss and Violence Everywhere (RESOLVE) New Orleans Project will expand and coordinate trauma-informed community behavioral health resources and services for young people in the city.
RESOLVE NOLA is a bold initiative designed to serve youth and families in communities most impacted by chronic poverty and collective trauma. UWSELA, in collaboration with the RESOLVE partners, launched this grant to address the glaring gaps in mental health care for youth and their families, aiming to create a seamless, trauma-informed system of care that supports young people as they navigate the challenges of growing up in communities scarred by violence and poverty.
The RESOLVE NOLA Community Impact Grant: What You Need to Know
Recognizing the urgent need in our community, the RESOLVE NOLA Community Impact Grant offers a strategic response to the mental health crisis affecting local youth. The grant targets behavioral health disparities and social determinants of health, with a particular focus on mental health conditions, substance abuse and addiction, excessive alcohol use, and physical and emotional trauma.
Four Pillars of RESOLVE NOLA's Mission
RESOLVE NOLA's mission focuses on four key pillars to guide a comprehensive, trauma-informed behavioral health system for high-risk youth and families.
- Strategic Planning: At the forefront of the RESOLVE NOLA initiative is the development and implementation of a comprehensive, coordinated trauma-informed behavioral health system. This system will be led by local residents with lived experiences, ensuring that those who know the community best are guiding the efforts.
- Service Expansion: RESOLVE NOLA is all about expanding the capacity of trauma-informed behavioral health services. This means more resources for the high-risk youth and families who need them the most.
- Training for the Future: Increasing the number of trained professionals who work with youth is critical. By training more individuals in trauma-informed care interventions and approaches, RESOLVE NOLA aims to build a network of support around our young people.
- Peer Support Expansion: Youth dealing with the impacts of community violence and trauma will have access to trained peer supports, providing them with relatable guidance and understanding.
Guided by Expertise
The RESOLVE NOLA Grant Sub-Committee Members and Community Advisory Board are made up of dedicated professionals and organizations deeply rooted in our community. Their collective expertise and involvement ensure that grant funds are allocated where they will make the greatest positive impact, reflecting the collaborative nature of the RESOLVE NOLA project.
Join Us in Building a Resilient Future
As we look to New Orleans's future, the RESOLVE NOLA Community Impact Grant represents an essential step forward in the mental health of youth. Together, community partners can build a brighter, healthier future for our youth—creating a city where every young person, no matter their background or circumstances, has the resources to heal, grow, and thrive.
2024 RESOLVE NOLA Impact Grant Recipients
This year, sixteen Orleans Parish nonprofit organizations were awarded up to $25,000 of the $250,000 in grant funding to provide critical mental health services, addiction prevention programs and trauma-informed support structures. We congratulate Boys Town Louisiana, Children's Bureau of New Orleans, Communities in Schools Gulf South, Free ALAS, Glam U, Inc., Good Shepherd Nativity School, Health & Education Alliance of Louisiana, Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies, New Orleans Pride Center, Phoenix Communities of NOLA, Reaching for the Stars, Rooted Ones, Son of a Saint, VIA LINK, Inc., Whole Village Art Therapy, and Yeah! Yoga on receiving the first-ever RESOLVE (Resilient, Equitable Systems for Overcoming Loss and Violence Everywhere) NOLA Impact grants.
Learn more about RESOLVE NOLA Impact Grants at https://www.unitedwaysela.org/ResolveGrants.