A local foundation is encouraging nonprofits in eastern Williamson County to submit proposals in the next few weeks for funding to expand area mental and maternal health services.
The St. David’s Foundation, an equity and communitydriven organization based in Central Texas, is investing up to $5 million in grant funding for “Culturally Responsive Mental Health Support” through organizations with close ties to underserved groups, and up to $7 million in support of “Healthy Births, Healthy Communities,” to promote equitable maternal health initiatives in the region.
“We are really interested in advancing health equity here in Central Texas, and this foundation recognizes the importance of community members in providing accessible and culturally relevant mental-health care and supports within the community in which they are living,” said Abena Asante, a senior program officer. Asante said the ratio of mental-health providers to residents in Williamson County is one to 1,439 people and one to 3,900 people in neighboring Bastrop County.
