Valley Cities

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities

Service Area: Washington State

Goal: Provide evidence-based mental health care, including in schools, to improve the mental health and wellbeing of at least 65 children in military and veteran families

Washington is home to more than 65,000 active-duty service members, reservists, and guardsmen, and their nearly 30,000 school-aged children. The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Valley Cities whose client base is over one-third military-connected children, helps build stronger communities by supporting children and their families with services that holistically address emotional and behavioral challenges, trauma, and basic needs. Clover Park School District’s (CPSD) student body, comprised of over 30% of students with at least one active-duty parent, reported significantly higher rates of adverse childhood experiences than the national average, suggesting a need for essential, accessible mental health services for their military-connected students. In 2020, CPSD and Valley Cities joined forces to address this need by bringing Valley Cities clinicians onsite to provide mental healthcare to students. Investing in school-based mental health care services increases the access these military-connected children have to high-quality care by eliminating transportation and financial barriers. This BWF funding will support Valley Cities’ clinical services at Dr. Claudia Thomas Middle School and fund a new clinical position to provide services at Lakes High School. The mental healthcare these clinicians provide will ensure military children have the tools they need to do well in school, reach developmental milestones, and successfully transition into adulthood. The goal of this investment is to provide evidence-based mental health care, including in schools, to improve the mental health and wellbeing of at least 65 children in military and veteran families.