Author: Shannon Kalahar

The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas serves as the backbone organization for a community-led initiative that brings together multiple sectors of the community to address one goal: increase the percentage of Pinellas County children developmentally on track for kindergarten and “ready” to succeed. This approach will establish an equitable, responsive and accountable early education system that will […]

This cross-sector initiative aims to address continuing gaps within the behavioral health continuum of care with an emphasis on those individuals served by multiple systems including the jail, county indigent health program, emergency rooms, homeless services, and behavioral health crisis care. The funding will support a collaborative partnership between Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN), Florida Department of […]

This funding is designated to build a strong and sustainable organizational infrastructure that will enable the Pinellas County Urban League to build upon its successful programs and services for even greater impact. The grant allows PCUL to address urgent and emerging organizational issues, develop strategic and business plans, determine an oversight model, conduct leadership training, implement a […]

The Pinellas County Medical-Legal Partnership Project will integrate legal professionals as specialists in Community Health Centers of Pinellas‘ health care setting. This partnership will allow care teams to detect and help address health-harming civil legal needs that affect a family’s ability to live a healthy life. CHCP’s collaborative partners — Bay Area Legal Services, Gulfcoast Legal Services and Stetson University […]

In 2018, Equality Florida Institute’s Safe and Healthy Schools Program partnered with Pinellas County Schools to implement nationally recognized best practices in support of LGBTQ students countywide. Although LGBTQ youth are currently the most targeted demographic for harassment in our schools, all students who experience bullying, and even the bullies themselves, face heightened negative health outcomes. […]

In 2018, the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County received a Transformative Grant to bring health and equity considerations into the development of policies, programs, and services of local governmental agencies. Planners trained in public health have been added to the staffs of the City of St. Petersburg, City of Pinellas Park and Pinellas County government to encourage the consideration […]

On July 11, 2018, nearly 200 people attended the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County’s joint event to launch Health in All Policies in Pinellas County, a new, multi-sector initiative to ensure policy leaders consider health consequences when creating policies and plans that affect the community.