By Vanessa Reyes Ruiz, Child Advocacy Program Manager at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
In today’s challenging world, we all need some kind of support – but it’s not always easy to ask for help. This was true for Samantha Sullivan. An independent single mother of two, she encountered mounting hardships that threatened her family’s stability and well-being. From a tough childhood to difficulties in adulthood, Samantha struggled to balance care for her children, maintaining her own physical and mental health, and making ends meet.
Eventually, Samantha felt her hope slipping away. She lacked reliable transportation, faced homelessness, and temporarily sent her children to live with their father while she worked toward regaining stability for herself and her family.
“It was definitely the most stressful thing I’ve ever gone through,” shared Samantha. “Even though they were with their dad, nobody takes care of them like you do.”
It was a turning point for Samantha when she was introduced to the Mental Health Navigator program. This innovative initiative, a collaboration between Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida and the School District of Lee County, is funded by Kids’ Minds Matter thanks to generous donors. A vital link in our community, the program connects local families to the resources and services they need to overcome adversities and build a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Mental Health Navigators Support the Whole Family
The Mental Health Navigator program provides “wrap-around” services that support both parents and children in critical areas of family life, from financial barriers to educational success. Participating schools refer students struggling with mental or behavioral health to the program, enabling Navigators to help families access:
- Mental health resources and counseling
- Reliable transportation, as needed
- Application assistance for housing, financial aid and school enrollment
- Community food resources and other essentials
For Samantha, this support was life-changing. Her family’s journey began when her 12-year-old daughter was hospitalized and experiencing mental health challenges. Through the Mental Health Navigator program, Samatha was referred to the SWFL Regional Coalition to End Homelessness. This multi-county organization offers families personalized support such as food assistance, job training, healthcare services, and more.
Within a matter of weeks, Samantha and her community allies – rallied by her Mental Health Navigator – connected her with a real estate agent who also managed properties and had an upcoming vacancy. Additionally, she received funding assistance to cover her first month’s rent, the previous month’s rent, and security deposit. Until her new apartment was available, the School District and Community Cooperative representatives worked together to arrange a safe hotel stay.
“There is hope out there. There are so many organizations willing to help. You just have to be willing to accept it, even if it means putting your pride aside.”
– Samantha Sullivan
A Circle of Support for a Brighter Future
While taking the first step to accept help wasn’t easy for Samantha, she knew her children’s needs had to come first. Samantha recognized that her children deserved a better life, and she could not do it all on her own. Now, with their circle of support, Samantha and her family are moving in a positive direction.
With the support of her Navigator, who coordinated job interviews, Samantha has been able to reenter the workforce. Also, the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida helped place her youngest child in a childcare program.
The Mental Health Navigator program is an essential resource in our community, addressing a critical truth: many children struggling in school are also facing instability and uncertainty at home. This makes their academic, social, and emotional success more difficult. During the time Samantha’s family was receiving assistance, the program supported 71 other families – six of whom were homeless and seven at risk of homelessness.
Because of the Mental Health Navigator program, the partnership of local organizations, and the support of generous donors, families like Samantha’s are finding their way to stability, security, and hope, giving children a chance to thrive.