{"content":[{"text":"Tapping COVID Relief Funds to Improve Youth Behavioral Health","bbox":{"left":0.117688,"top":0.261402,"width":0.7548529999999999,"height":0.026079999999999992}},{"text":"We have no history to tell us what the long-term consequences will be for adolescents and young \n adults of their past year living under the restrictions COVID-19 necessitated. However, we do \n know that youth mental health is worsening significantly. Adolescents and young adults are \n experiencing increased trauma, toxic stress, depression and anxiety – further elevating their risk \n for substance misuse and suicide – with youth of color, low-income youth, and LGBTQ+ youth \n disproportionately harmed.","bbox":{"left":0.117688,"top":0.301381,"width":0.7605569999999999,"height":0.10735899999999998}},{"text":"As schools reopen their classrooms, students need more support. The federal government is \n giving states funding to address gaps in substance use and mental health prevention, treatment \n and recovery, including services for adolescents and young adults. This investment will bring \n some immediate relief. Advocates can help ensure it does more than that – by working to direct \n funds to address racial, gender, income and other inequities and ensure more young people \n receive the care and services they need. Because the funding comes from both health and \n education streams, advocates need to work together across sectors to have the greatest influence. \n Initial funding deadlines are approaching for influencing state and local use of these new funds, \n so advocates must act swiftly. In addition, there will be continuing opportunities to monitor the \n impact of the funding and advocate for course corrections.","bbox":{"left":0.117688,"top":0.42325,"width":0.7571680000000001,"height":0.17715599999999998}},{"text":"This resource offers advocates information about available funding streams, decision makers on \n a state and local level, and advocacy strategies to influence them. It aims to help advocates \n leverage these opportunities to strengthen substance use and mental health systems and invest in \n young people.","bbox":{"left":0.117688,"top":0.614917,"width":0.755146,"height":0.07263599999999992}},{"text":"This resource will be updated periodically with new funding opportunities and advocacy strategies. Please reach \n out to us with questions and to share your experiences. Dusan Stojicic, Community Catalyst, \n dstojicic@communitycatalyst.org","bbox":{"left":0.1279,"top":0.798826,"width":0.734257,"height":0.04588300000000001}},{"text":"Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a \n movement for health equity and justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build \n power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. www.communitycatalyst.org","bbox":{"left":0.133619,"top":0.932197,"width":0.7328870000000001,"height":0.04193599999999997}}],"images_bbox":[{"left":0.129412,"top":0.095455,"width":0.32598,"height":0.090909}],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[{"left":0.129412,"top":0.095455,"width":0.32598,"height":0.090909}]}