16 Nonprofit Agencies Selected for over $5M in Community Wellness Grants

United Way of Central Florida releases which local, nonprofit agencies are receiving over $5 million released for Community Wellness Initiative in Polk. The pilot program awarded 501(c)(3) nonprofits funding from Polk County Indigent Health Care to provide services in the categories of behavioral health, and prevention/early intervention. The services must be provided to qualified Polk County residents as defined in section 212.055(7) Florida Statutes and Polk County Ordinance 2015-076.

The following agencies have been selected for grants:

Behavioral Health

• Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc.
• Heart for Winter Haven
• Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine
• One Hope United
• Peace River Center for Personal Development
• Polk for Recovery
• The Children’s Home Society of Florida
• The Wilson House
• Tri-county Human Services, Inc.

Prevention/Early Intervention

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County
• Catholic Charities of Central Florida, Inc.
• Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center
• Early Learning Coalition of Polk County
• Florida Children’s Museum
• North American Family Institute
• Talbot House Ministries, Inc.
• The Children’s Home Society of Florida
• Top Buttons

These organizations are qualified to address wellness needs in central Florida as they source 18 programs in the categories of behavioral health, and prevention/early intervention. Programs include victim services, peer support, family functional therapy and much more.

“We are thrilled to partner with these services which are dedicated to addresing some of our county's most pressing challenges in innovative ways,” shared Christina Criser Jackson, President & CEO of United Way of Central Florida.

By investing in these health services, United Way of Central Florida is proactively bringing positive change with the funding from Polk County to the future of our Polk community.

COO Rod Crowley shared, “adding these services to the Polk County community is a great step forward in expanding our wellness programs. With these additional services, more underserved individuals will be able to receive the care they need, allowing them more opportunity to reach their full potential.

The disbursements have begun and will continue to be paid as services are provided through the end of the County's fiscal year. The additional funding has allowed several agencies to hire new staff and the services will be operational as soon as possible.

Additional details on agency programs and services receiving the funding can be found at https://uwcf.org/cwgrants/.