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In response to the ever-present need for mental health support and resources among community youth, the Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County has expanded their partnership with Adult & Child Health (A&C) School-Based Services by integrating a Skills Support Specialist. With support from the Kendrick Foundation, this specialized role was developed by Clinical Supervisor Kelsey Balch, LMHC, A&C, and Senior Director of Youth Development Trista Ristau, Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County, as an innovative approach to support Morgan County youth. In January 2024, A&C’s Courtney Delehanty joined the Club’s 16 staff members as the new Skills Support Specialist and has since completed 102 group sessions and has connected with 210 individuals over the last year to address conflict resolution, emotional regulation and communication skills. According to a report published by the CDC in 2023, 40% of teens nationwide reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, 19% were bullied, 9% were threatened or injured with a weapon at school, and 13% missed school due to safety concerns. Additionally, a research article published by ScienceAdvances in 2023 reported a “youth mental health crisis had reached unprecedented levels” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership between A&C and the Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County aims to improve these statistics by providing trauma-informed support, as well as mental health resources to the 110 youths served by the Club daily. A&C is proud to play an integral role in the overall success of the Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County and is thrilled that the partnership has provided an opportunity to connect with more youth in the area. “I enjoy fostering this relationship because we lean on each other in this industry. We love this community and want to continue to build what works – and this works. Courtney makes a difference because she has the kids’ best interest at heart,” said Balch. “Courtney’s consistency has been a key attribute in her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with the youth and staff the Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County. She has a very gentle and nonjudgmental way of approaching stressful situations, which is critical in connecting youth and families to mental health resources when needed,” said Director of Development at Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County Shane Williams. “Integrating Courtney into our team has also allowed Club staff to more effectively focus on their roles within the organization. The Skills Support Specialist role was really a missing piece to the puzzle.”   A&C is excited to continue this trajectory with the Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County and is looking forward to serving youth through similar partnerships throughout Central Indiana moving forward. About Adult & Child Health Adult & Child Health, a Joint Commission accredited community mental health center and Federally Qualified Healthcare Center Look Alike in Central Indiana, strives for equitable, caring communities where all people can live healthy, purposeful lives. Services include behavioral health, primary care, social services, and addictions treatment, all of which are designed to provide quick, affordable, and efficient access to high quality care. Adult & Child Health is an affiliate and member organization of Brightli, a network of health providers across the Midwest. Please visit adultandchild.org for more information.  This publication was supported by Grant Number KF24ACHMHI funded by the Kendrick Foundation. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Adult & Child Health and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Kendrick Foundation. About Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County The Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County is a comprehensive youth development organization operating in Morgan County, Indiana. Its primary focus is to help young people ages 6 to 18 reach their potential through programs focused on achieving academic success, good character and citizenship, as well as leading healthy lifestyles. Club members are provided with a broad range of activities and services including homework help, mentoring, sports and recreation programs, arts programs, access to computer technology, service and leadership clubs, and much more. Please visit bgcmorgan.com for more information.  This publication was supported by Grant Number KF2403 funded by the Kendrick Foundation. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Kendrick Foundation.