In July 2022, Northwest Assistance Ministries was awarded a Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® (HKHF) grant by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). The HKHF funding will support BCBSTX’s commitment to community-based organizations supporting children and families that focus on health and wellness and target impacts of socio-economic and social determinants of health, as well as economic opportunity.

This funding will support is NAM’s Behavioral Health Services. The Behavioral Health Services(BHS) program was expanded 2021 to include counseling for individuals and families, for a variety of mental health issues. The funding from the HKHF grant will support specifically mental health services for children and youth. 

Launched in 2011, HKHF started as a three-year project designed to improve the health and wellness of at least one million children through community investments. The program was extended as BCBSTX’s ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of the children and families across Texas.

“We are happy to award these grants that will support and nurture meaningful and transformational projects across Texas,” said Sheena Payne, BCBSTX’s director of Community Investments. “Strategically, it is also important that we continue to aid community-based organizations that are directly supporting children and families with health and wellness equity as well as building foundations for economic opportunity.”

The HKHF program – which centers on nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management and supporting safe environments – has awarded more than $20 million in funding since inception, and this year will impact the lives of more than 5 million children and adults in Texas

“We are seeing an increase of kids and youth needing these services, to support their mental health,” said Allison Booker-Brooks, NAM’s Director of Programs. “All during the covid lockdowns, they heard their parents talking about death and sickness. Now they are returning to school while still hearing about the pandemic - along with other distressful things that happen in our world - which can add to an increase of anxiety and other mental health issues. With this funding, we will be able to serve more children and youth clients who come to NAM seeking mental health support.”

To access NAM’s Behavioral Health Services for your children, call 281-885-4662  or email [email protected]