St. Johns County is taking significant steps to enhance the well-being of its youngest residents with the creation of a new advocacy group, IMPACT: Advocating for Children Today, Inc. The group's initiative is to develop comprehensive strategies to address mental health, substance abuse, and obstacles to healthcare access for children. In August, a workshop brought together various stakeholders to discuss the establishment of a board of directors and to explore funding opportunities for this cause, with a video recap of the event produced by the Office of Public Affairs.
Commissioner Sarah Arnold, who orchestrated the meeting, highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach. "This is a collaborative, strategic union solely focused on the well-being of children and families within a community," Arnold told St. Johns County Public Affairs. "We are a resource connector. We want to ground our work in current national, state, and local data on children and family well-being to ensure that priorities are relevant and impactful."
The foundation for the advocacy group was laid at the Inaugural Children’s Behavioral Health Summit in 2016, which pointed towards the need for such an organization. In 2019, IMPACT achieved its Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) status, setting the stage for its objectives to support children's behavioral health care, educational requirements, and overall safety.
Amid the workshop's success, over 40 leaders pledged their commitment towards children's health and development. "The success of our Children’s Alliance IMPACT event in August truly shows the strength of St. Johns County’s commitment to our youth," Patti Greenough, co-chair of the Children’s Alliance Governance Workgroup, said according to St. Johns County Public Affairs. "More than 40 dedicated leaders came together, fully engaged, and demonstrated their personal pledge to support the mission of IMPACT. This was not just a meeting; it was a powerful launchpad for change."
The road ahead for IMPACT involves assembling a Board of Directors and the selection of an Executive Director by the year 2026. Greenough and Siefker noted these plans while presenting to the St. Johns County Health and Human Services Advisory Council earlier this month. "We will create a forum for providers to discuss needs and their plans to address those needs, build consensus on unmet needs in St. Johns County, and increase collaboration to coordinate care for the children in our community," Arnold added as per the St. Johns County Public Affairs, emphasizing the forward trajectory of the initiative. IMPACT is also setting its sights on garnering support from state legislators and the local community to fuel its mission.
